Controversial proposals to create a £12.6 million leisure centre at Wilsons Playing Fields in Clayton-le-Moors have now been given the final go-ahead by a cabinet minister.

In September, Hyndburn planning committee voted by six votes to five with two abstentions to grant permission for the project.

This was despite pleas from two Great Harwood residents and Overton ward Labour councillor Colin McKenzie to reject the scheme, which will replace the closed swimming pool in Mercer Hall.

But because of the size of the scheme and its location in protected Green Belt countryside, the approval was referred to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up and Communities Michael Gove, for him to rubber stamp, reject or order a Whitehall audit of the decision.

It was revealed at Hyndburn Council's Cabinet on Wednesday he has now given the development - part of the authority's Leisure Transformation Project - his approval.

Following a letter from Mr Gove confirming his decision, the final formal planning permission for the complex has now been issued.

Senior councillors were also told Sport England had agreed to increase its grant towards the development from £2m to £2.4m to take into account rising costs.

The meeting also approved a contingency budget of £330,000 to cover unexpected expenditure and the transfer of Wilsons Playing Fields to Hyndburn Leisure Trust, which will develop the project.

The scheme - which involves demolishing the existing clubhouse and replacing it with a new centre accommodating a 25 metre four lane pool, indoor and outdoor changing facilities, fitness suite, offices, community rooms, a café and reception area - generated great controversy and 114 objections.

Hyndburn Council's leisure boss Loraine Cox told Wednesday's meeting: "Cabinet are aware of the benefits that the Leisure Transformation Project will provide through sport and physical activity and how these will contribute to the wider health and wellbeing outcomes for our local residents.

"These benefits will be realised through the council having a purpose-built facility that has the potential to cater for an additional 200,000 plus visits a year.

"This is in addition to the existing 36,000 attendances for outdoor sporting activities that currently take place on this site.

"This report informs cabinet that the final planning permission has been issued.

"It also shares the fantastic news that the council has not only been successful in securing its initial grant bid of £2m from Sport England but that we have been successful in working with Sport England to increase that figure to £2.4m."

Former Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson, who was at the meeting as a member of the public, said: "This is fantastic news for the residents of the borough but especially those in Clayton-le-Moors.

"It is a very significant investment in the health of the people of Hyndburn."