COMMUNITY groups will benefit from a mulit-million pound sports facility in Whitefield, if plans get the green light.

Governors at Philips High School have submitted a planning application for a new sports hall which will serve the community as well as the pupils at the school.

They say the centre will be a community hub, featuring basketball and netball facilities, as well as disabled access.

Chris Trees, headteacher at Philips High, said: "This is a very exciting project for us and it is part of our ongoing development as a school.

"Additional facilities are needed, not only to cater for the wider demand of the school, but more importantly, to fulfil the shortfall of community sports facilities within the area.

"The school provides facilities for Bury girls’ football, Salford Reds Rugby League academy and for various events held by the local synagogue and other groups."

The application is now being considered by Bury Council.

The building, which is likely to cost around £300,000, will be administered by Ball Hall Ltd, a company which has made its name in sports provisions.

Mr Trees said: "They are an incredible company and have already built this kind of development in places like Warrington and Oldham.

"It is aiming to get a sports hall like this in every town and city in the UK.

"This will be a good opportunity to get community facilities for the people of Whitefield and I’m just hoping people will support it."

A decision is likely to be taken on the sports hall, which would be on green belt land, in August.

The school already has a floodlit football pitch and a sports centre, which was built in 1987. A corridor would link it to the new sports hall.

The new hall would have eight badminton courts, two basketball courts and storage facilities. It would be 27ft tall.