A sports facility in one of Stoke-on-Trent's most deprived areas is in line for an upgrade using cash from a new housing development.

The multi use games area (MUGA) at Stansmore Road is considered beyond repair and no longer fit for purpose by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The authority now plans to team up with the Football Foundation (FF) to redevelop it into a "playzone". If its bid proves successful the FF will fund 75% of the project, with the council providing the remaining 25% from a cash pot connected with the new housing development off Caverswall Lane.

Funding towards community facilities was secured from developers as part of the planning permission. Around £100,000 from this Section 106 scheme will be earmarked towards the Stansmore Road play area improvement, a council report said.

It added: "Playzones are a FF concept that are modern, safe and engaging facilities. They are designed for recreational football and at least one other sport and there are a range of facility types to meet the need of different sports.

The site, on Stansmore Road in Meir, is set to be turned into a 'playzone' (Google).

"The Foundation are working collaboratively with Basketball England, England and Wales Cricket Board, England Hockey, England Netball, Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union to agree design requirements for recreational forms of their sports. They are a contemporary, more sustainable and appealing version of a MUGA.

"Meir North is the fourth most deprived ward in the city and the second most densely populated out of the 37 wards. The population profile of the ward has a disproportionately high number of children relative to the city average.

"As Meir North is limited on spare land it would be difficult to identify a suitable space to create a new facility. As a result, Leisure and Planning colleagues have identified an existing MUGA on Stansmore Road, which is central to the ward and its residents. The existing MUGA is not fit for purpose and following a site visit, the facility is beyond repair and is significantly damaged.

"The site already has existing infrastructure, such as old floodlighting that will assist with the speed of the project. The remaining funds from the S106 would be utilised as a sinking fund, to ensure this facility remains sustainable and assist the entity who manages the Playzone moving forwards."

READ MORE: Site next to Longton Police Station set to be turned into a car park

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