Green light for £12.3m project

A sports village that will provide state-of-the-art facilities in Newark and create 80 jobs within three years has been given planning permission.Nottinghamshire YMCA has been given the go-ahead for a multi-million pound development next to Newark Sports and Fitness Centre on land off Elm Avenue.Plans include a 3G football pitch, athletics track, 3G multi-sports pitch, cycle track, skate park, five-a-side football pitches, tennis courts and a multi-use games area for sports such as netball, basketball and hockey.RHP Sports and Social Football Club, based on the site, would use the 3G pitch for Sunday league matches.The development, estimated to cost £12.3m, was passed unanimously by Newark and Sherwood District Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.Under the proposals, the athletics track and a 3G pitch will be built first, with work starting next year.Funding for those has been secured from Nottinghamshire County Council and the district council, with the YMCA also meeting some of the cost.Nottinghamshire YMCA has previously told the Advertiser it is confident it can secure funding for the remaining elements.