Plans for the development of a new five-a-side football centre in Heaton Park, Prestwich, have been given the green light by planning officials at Manchester City Council (MCC).

Goals Soccer Centres is behind the multi-million pound scheme, which is set to boast floodlit 5-a-side football pitches, tennis and netball court, a climbing wall and changing facilities. The proposed centre will be located on a 3.4-hectare (8.4-acre) next to the park's existing bowling green and pavilion, which were built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Forming part of the park's Sport Zone, the plans also contribute towards a Restoration Masterplan for Heaton Park agreed between the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and MCC. Mike Amesbury. MCC's executive member for culture and leisure, said: "A key priority for the City Council is to make sport more accessible to residents and so it's particularly important that the facilities will be available either free of charge or at discounted rates for 60 per cent of the time for community groups.

"The Heaton Park Trust volunteers have been campaigning since the mid 1990s for facilities like this in the park to improve access to sports and ultimately health and fitness for the benefit of the wider community and I'm delighted these plans are now coming to fruition." Goals Soccer Centres managing director Keith Rogers added: "Getting the approval today means that we can move forward now to bring these of much needed sports facilities to Heaton Park."