KESGRAVE will soon be home to a new multi-use sports hall as proposals have been rubber-stamped by officials.

KESGRAVE will soon be home to a new multi-use sports hall as proposals have been rubber-stamped by officials.

A facility providing an indoor base for various sports has been approved by planners at Suffolk Coastal District Council - meaning building work can begin in November.

Based in Twelve Acre Approach, the hall will include changing rooms, car parking and a cycle storage area to encourage residents to leave their cars at home.

The project is being funded and organised by Kesgrave Covenant Ltd, Sports Amenities and Recreation in Kesgrave and the Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre. It has also received the backing of Kesgrave Town Council.

Project co-ordinator Alan Smith said: “We are becoming a centre of excellence for sport in Kesgrave.

“Our aim has been to provide the best sporting facilities for the residents of the town and my hope is they will see this as a fantastic opportunity to get involved in sport.

“We expect to start to see the forming of clubs in the town once people grasp the fact the hall is there for them.”

The total cost of the project is still to be confirmed. If all goes to plan, the structure, 33metres by 18metres, could be up and running by early next year.

However, Mr Smith said: “The target date is moveable. We still have to appoint a contractor. All things being equal, it should be ready within four months.”

Once up and running, an online booking system will be set up, enabling people to pre-book sessions at the hall.

Previous plans for a sports centre in Kesgrave were scrapped after the development was deemed financially unviable.

Are you pleased the development has planning permission? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk