Plans for a multi-million euro community centre in Brackenstown, Fingal, are set to get the nod from local planning officials, it has been revealed.

The scheme, one of only two community-based capital spending project earmarked for the region this year, could be released for tender as early as the summer, according to reports.

Proposals for the scheme are currently with the council, following a round of public consultation, during which no objections were lodged.

The plans are expected to be rubber stamped with full council approval soon.

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It is believed the council has set aside over €2m for the scheme this year, back-up by a similar financial provision for 2010.

The centre is expected to include a sports complex with ancillary rooms and equipment stores as well as showers and changing rooms, toilets and community meeting rooms.

Local activists have been lobbying for the schemes approval for almost three years.

Community representatives have broadly welcomed the recent progress on the development, and hope it will help to combat anti-social behaviour in the area.

Paula O'Connor, who has lived on Brackenstown Road all her life, said: "The community centre certainly wouldn't cure all evil but it would have an impact on preventing antisocial behaviour in the area."

Tendering for the project is expected to be made public by the summer, with construction work beginning as soon as a contractor is appointed.

Councillors, from a range of political parties, have welcomed the scheme, which they recognised had experienced a number of setbacks in recent years.

(PR/JM)