A former school site in Leeds is set to be transformed into a community sports hub. Proposals for the new development – on land in Holbeck once occupied by Matthew Murray High School – have been given the go-ahead.

Work is now expected to start next year on the council-led project, which will include three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a two-storey building with facilities such as changing rooms, a gym and a café.

The building will also be home to a GP surgery and pharmacy, with these services contributing to the wide-ranging health and well-being benefits that the development as a whole will bring to local residents.

Other elements of the scheme will include the creation of a children’s play area and improvements to a portion of existing green space at the site, which covers 6.3 hectares and sits off Brown Lane East and Ingram Road.

Outdoor seating areas, footpaths and a segregated cycle route are also planned, along with a 267-space car park and dozens of bike storage bays.

The scheme is one of three new sports hubs planned for Leeds as part of the national Parklife programme, which aims to deliver improved facilities for grassroots football using funding from the Football Association, the Premier League, Sport England, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and the Football Foundation charity.

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