COUNCIL bosses are set to rip out landscaping to create much-needed parking spaces at the multi-million Wyre Forest Leisure Centre.

Last week, the Shuttle reported how members of the facility, in Silverwoods Way, had been left scrambling for one of the coveted 171 spaces and forced to abandon their cars on pavements and grass verges.

But now, the council has unveiled plans to remove some of the landscaping at the site, to expand the car park and create a minimum of 25 new spaces to cope with the popularity of the centre.

The changes will require planning permission and as part of the process there will be a consultation with residents.

Wyre Forest District Council leader, Marcus Hart, said: "We are now in a position to give a few more details on the plans we are working on to expand the car park.

"We having designs drawn up to change some landscaping at the centre to parking spaces and we will be submitting the planning application as soon as possible.

"The changes will take time so we are continuing to work with Places for People Leisure (PfPL) to reduce the pressure.

"We are asking all drivers to park sensibly and legally if they cannot get onto the car park and we are encouraging car sharing.

"Our enforcement team will continue to patrol the area to deter people from parking illegally.

"When PfPL submitted the planning application for the leisure centre, they were granted permission for the maximum number of car parking spaces allowed for its size.

"The rules, which are set nationally, have since changed and it is now up to the facility operator to justify the number of spaces they seek permission for."

Work to construct the additional car parking spaces can not start until after the planning permission is granted and is anticipated they not be completed until the early summer.

Cllr Hart added: "We are delighted that the leisure centre is proving very popular and we want to alleviate the parking problem for users and the centre's neighbours.

"The leisure centre is part of the overall Silverwoods site success story, bringing a new leisure facility, housing, jobs and business opportunities to the town."

In the first six months since the centre opened its doors in July 2016, to replace the beloved Glades Leisure Centre and Stourport Sports Centre, there has been almost 210,000 visitors - with an average of more than 34,500 visitors a month.

The variety of activities, facilities and timetabled sessions, together with the seasonal increase in interest in fitness has resulted in the centre being exceptionally busy.

Fitness membership has been growing and there has been an increase of 50 per cent on swimming lessons.

Last week, leisure centre member Michael De Groot, told the Shuttle: "There is quite a bit of frustration among members. We are all paying premium membership for facilities.

"People are getting very frustrated and agitated, causing people to chase for spaces in the car park, trying to beat to the next available - it's quite dangerous as there isn't much room there anyway."