A NEW social hub will be created in a Fenland village when a 21st century pavilion is built replacing an out-dated prefabricated building.

The old pavilion is set to be demolished after Manea Parish council won permission to build a new pavilion at the Memorial Playing Fields.

Councillors said the existing pavilion doesn’t offer any facilities for disabled or less able-bodied visitors and is limited in its use, but the new facility will cater for more events due to a multi-purpose function room.

Mark Buckton, vice chairman of Manea Parish Council, said: “This is brilliant news. Compared to other football clubs nearby we have really poor facilities. Now we can bring ourselves bang up to date.

“This will give us 21st century facilities for our football teams and for the whole village to enjoy.

“The hard work starts now. We have to find funding - possibly from the Lottery and the Football Association - so we can get building as soon as possible.”

The plans include an improvement to the car park that will hold up to 40 cars and easy disabled access to the playing field, which includes an all-weather play area, skate park and two football pitches.

The design statement was prepared by Peter Humphrey Associates. The firm said: “Manea is a thriving village, but while widely used for traditional sports the playing fields are limited as a village amenity by the facilities offered at the existing pavilion.

“The new pavilion will function as a social hub for the village community and life.”

Police raised concerns that they have been called out to the playing fields seven times in the past year and said the new building should include external lighting and CCTV cameras.