Plans for a new sports and community facility at Preston’s Ashton Park have been approved.
The green light was given to the £9.7 million project, paving the way for a state-of-the-art sports facility. This development will feature a two-storey 1,395 sq. m sports hub complete with changing rooms, classrooms and a café, alongside six grass pitches and a 3G sports pitch. Approval was granted during the planning meeting held on Thursday 25 April.
The project will be funded by a £9.5million contribution from the £20m of Levelling Up Funding, which was awarded to Preston City Council in 2023, having pledged to create improved sports facilities as part of the local bid.
The new facility is part of the city’s Active Preston project, designed to encourage more people in the city to participate in healthy activities and improve the wellbeing of Preston residents. It will enable thousands of young people year-round access to both natural and all-weather sport facilities and improve the local provision for playing grassroots sports.
Eric Wright Construction will oversee the design and construction of the facility with work planned to commence on site in summer 2024 targeting completion by the end of 2025.
James Eager, Eric Wright Construction Director said:
“We’re really pleased to have the approval from the planning committee for Ashton Park and we aim to start on site later this year. This new facility will provide a superb additional leisure and education amenity for the community, enhancing the sports provision in the local area and improving health outcomes. The park has been underused for many years but the new facilities will enable youngsters to play grassroots sports all year round and the team is keen to bring this forward now planning is secured.”
Adrian Robinson, Director of Environment and Property at Preston City Council said:
” We’re delighted at the approval of this fantastic sports facility. This investment won’t just improve the park, it will transform the whole area. It will allow for all year-round access to sports and not having to rely on the weather, which has disrupted so many grassroots sports in recent months. This new community hub will deliver a range of services and improve the quality of life for local residents, community sports clubs and the wider Preston community.”
