Plans have gone in for a PlayZone at a Fenland leisure centre aimed at tackling inequalities in physical activity and providing access to high-quality facilities in targeted areas.
Phil Hughes, Fenland District Council's head of leisure services, has made the application for the multi-use games area (MUGA) to be built at the Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey, on behalf of the council, and it will eventually be decided by Fenland's planning committee.
A planning statement submitted alongside the application, which explains that the application includes sports fencing, floodlighting with LED lamps, a spectator area with benches, and PlayZone signage.
It states: "This proposal will improve the facilities available at the site, especially through the winter months, and encourage a wider range of participants."
The statement explains that the PlayZone programme has been developed to tackle inequalities in physical activities and to provide access to facilities in targeted areas, with the Football Foundation providing funding towards community-led spaces.
The purpose of the PlayZone Scheme is to invest in areas with the greatest need, with the aim of encouraging specific priority groups to be more active.
The specific priority groups that the Football Foundation wishes to prioritise as part of this scheme are: Lower socio-economic groups, women and girls, disabled people and people with long-term health conditions, and ethnically diverse communities.
The MUGA will be available from 9am to 9.30pm with users booking online. There will be an electronic gate lock system.
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The MUGA has been designed with an incorporated goal at each end, and there will also be incorporated netball goals.
The planning statement explains that the proposals meet a range of the council's planning policies, including the promotion of sport and activity.
It concludes: "The proposal would be of considerable benefit to the local community groups, through the provision of a new facility in a previously unused area.
"The new facility has been designed with the aim of minimising impact to local residents/environment where possible, with drainage/fencing / floodlighting/access all designed with construction best practices in mind.
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