Major new sporting and leisure facilities for Aylsham have been promised as part of revamped housing proposals for the town.

Developer Welbeck Strategic Land, whose original plans for 300 new homes to be built on land north of Sir William's Lane in Aylsham were refused last year by Broadland planners, has come back with another proposal which now includes a new �1.4m fitness centre and modernised swimming pool for the high school.

Welbeck has also aimed to address congestion and road safety fears with the inclusion of a roundabout at the A140 junction with Burgh Road, plus a new school car park and entrance from Burgh Road, with a previously-controversial secondary access on Sir William's Lane now reserved for pedestrians and cycles.

The fitness centre and swimming pool - which would be open to the public – are being offered to Aylsham High School for free as part of the Sir William's Lane housing project.

The housing development would be on the same site as the previous proposals and have the same number of homes, a third of which have been allocated for affordable housing.

The initial plans were refused as Broadland district councillors said they did not feel the benefits to the community - which at that time included giving land to the school to develop a sports village - outweighed siting the scheme outside the development boundary.

The developer also plans to transfer 14.5 acres of land to the high school for �1 and create a new car park and access for the school, public open space, two acres of new allotments and a protected wildlife footpath along the River Bure.

Erik Pagano, project director at Welbeck, said: 'The reason for refusal was to do with secondary technical issues, not issues of principle, and we have sought to address those.'

The re-submission by Welbeck follows Broadland's approval last year of another out-of-boundary plan, on the western side of Aylsham. The Youngs Farms scheme will see 250 homes, 10 football pitches and a clubhouse built on farmland off Cawston Road.

At the time, rival developers, including Welbeck, threatened a high-court battle to get the permission thrown out, although the high-court action has now been withdrawn.

The public will have the chance to study the latest proposals for the Sir William's Lane housing development at a public exhibition at Aylsham Town Hall on July 24 from 6pm to 9pm, where representatives from the high school will also be on hand.

The school's proposal for the new fitness area includes a fully-equipped gym with treadmills, cross trainers and rowing machines. The facility would be open for public use during agreed periods of the school day in addition to weekend, holiday and after-school use.

A membership scheme would also be offered to people within Aylsham High School's catchment area. A separate space for dance and drama will be used during the school day for lessons but in the evenings for local clubs and groups.

Head teacher, Duncan Spalding said: 'This is a fantastic offer from the developers which will transform the school's sports and leisure facilities. Our pool is 30 years old – the roof is badly in need of repair - and we have not been able to get funding from any local or national sources.

'These new plans for the fitness suite and modernising the swimming pool will transform our school – and our community as the public will be able to use the new facilities out of school hours,' he said.

Welbeck's planning application is due to go to Broadland District Council planning committee in September and, if approved, work on the project would begin next spring.