New sports hub aims to reduce health inequalities

Plans for a new sports and community hub aimed at reducing "health inequalities" in Preston have been approved by councillors.

The Quwwatul Islam Preston Muslim Society has been granted permission to develop a two-storey facility - featuring an artificial turf football pitch and a multi-purpose sports court - on a site off Deepdale Mill Street that was previously used as a storage bay for lorries.

Preston City Council said the hub would be open to all sections of the community.

Government statistics show the earmarked location is within England's 10% most deprived neighbourhoods.

The centre will serve the St Matthew's, Deepdale, Ribbelton and Fishwick areas of Preston.

The approved plans include two gendered community halls which can be combined to create one, larger, unisex space.

The community hub, which will stand opposite the existing mosque and educational centre - will also include showers, a kitchen and a Janazah Room - a space used for prayer after the death of a member of the Muslim community.

A spokesman for the applicant said the scheme was "by the community [and] for the community – cultivating harmony, belonging and well-being".

Alban Cassidy, from Cassidy+Ashton, the architectural firm behind the plans that were announced in November, said metrics of poor life expectancy, mental health problems and obesity made the need for a suitable place of exercise more pressing in the area.

Councillor Peter Kelly said the area was "in dire need of sports facilities".

Nine letters of support were received for the project and the committee approved the plans unanimously.

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