Scheduled to open in 2027/28, the project will be delivered in partnership with Live Active Leisure (LAL) and is expected to grow the current 400,000 annual visits to 562,000 as part of the wider regeneration strategy for Perth and Kinross.

As well as attracting day and staying visitors alongside investment in other attractions including City Hall, PH20 will provide health and wellbeing activities and the Learn to Swim Scheme for local people and communities across Perth and Kinross.

Councillor Murray Lyle, Council Leader said: “I am delighted that after three years careful work to prepare the business case for PH20 it’s been given the go-ahead today. Investing in sport and physical activity is central to our public health and wellbeing approach to encourage our residents to keep fit, active and healthy.

“I am also delighted the new venue will be Passivhaus and help the council meet its climate change commitment to reduce carbon emissions from public buildings. I know the new PH20 will be just as iconic as the Leisure Pool when it opened in the 1980s, and I look forward to seeing it take shape.”

David Maclehose, chair of LAL, added: “We are delighted with the decision to commit to PH20, following almost 10 years of campaigning and collaborative partnership work with Perth and Kinross Council.

“The project delivers on the vision to secure a replacement for both Perth Leisure Pool and Dewars Centre, and will create a new, iconic, vibrant and sustainable sport and leisure venue for our community and visitors for generations to come.”

The news comes as Perth and Kinross councillors agreed a below-inflation Council Tax rise and investment to support education, families, communities, economic wellbeing, the environment and infrastructure.

Savings on the winter maintenance budget have also been rejected, and instead an additional £100,000 is being invested in additional gully cleaning, and a further £4 million in the local roads and bridges infrastructure over the next two years.