A NEW sports hall for the Kesgrave area is today a step closer, and a consultation process will soon begin in a bid to find out exactly what people want.

A NEW sports hall for the Kesgrave area is today a step closer, and a consultation process will soon begin in a bid to find out exactly what people want.

Suffolk coastal district council and Sports and Recreation Kesgrave (Spark) have each agreed to pay £5,000 towards a feasibility study.

The study will look at existing demand, the opportunity to get more people involved in sport, usage at nearby facilities and the cost of building and running the centre.

The results of the study should help the hall, which would be built in Grange Farm, to obtain funding.

Maggy Wilson, cabinet member for community well-being, said: "The council recognises there's a demand for additional sports facilities in the Kesgrave/Martlesham area and is pleased to be able to support this community led project at the initial stage of identifying the viability of providing such a sports centre."

The developers of the Grange Farm estate have allocated land, free of charge, to the local community for the provision of indoor bowls facilities and a four-badminton-court-size multi-sports hall with reception, changing and shower facilities. This offer has been made on the understanding that the facilities are developed within the next seven years.

Pat Mills, chairman of Spark, said: "We would like to thank Suffolk Coastal for their contribution towards this study. Once we have received the consultant's report we will have a more realistic idea on what demand and usage there would be for a sports centre and be in a stronger position to put forward a case for funding to help us turn this great opportunity into a reality."