Plans for a new football pitch at Maghaberry Community Centre in County Antrim have been approved.

The development will include a new full size grass football pitch, changing accommodation and fencing.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council will now move forward with a procurement exercise.

Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council's Leisure & Community Development Committee, said: "The Council has a strong commitment to encourage the health and wellbeing of its residents, which includes ensuring they have access to top quality sporting facilities. This new football pitch at Maghaberry will be the latest addition to the Council's assets. The need for a grass pitch in was identified within the Council's 'Playing Pitches Strategy'; and we are delighted to have received planning permission to commence this work.

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"Without the support of Maghaberry Community Centre and the wider community this would not have been possible. I would like to thank them for their continued support of council initiatives in the village. This new football pitch will be popular with Broomhedge Maghaberry Football Club and the local schools may use it for large scale events. It is the perfect addition to the MUGA that is currently in place at Maghaberry; and will help to meet the growing interest of team sports and encourage more participation."

The planning news has been welcomed by the wider Maghaberry community.

(CM/JG)