Indoor sports complex for grassroot teams approved

The complex forms part of the wider Wards Court scheme

A multi-sports complex providing indoor pitches for grassroots teams is set to be built.

Darlington Borough Council gave the go-ahead to plans for football, cricket, tennis and padel courts at the Faverdale Industrial Estate, Darlington.

It forms part of the wider Wards Court scheme, which has seen businesses such as Lidl, Home Bargains and Starbucks open in recent years.

Kelvin Russell, chairman of local football club Hurworth Albion, said indoor pitches were "vital" for clubs during winter months.

Applicant Ward and Sons Holdings Ltd applied to build six units to form the indoor sports facility, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The first and second floors of the northern unit will consist of sports spaces, including indoor football, aimed to cater for grassroots and local teams.

One person who objected to the plan said they were concerned about the neighbourhood being "overdeveloped with all manner of outlets", which would have a "detrimental effect" in terms of noise, litter and anti-social behaviour.

At the Faverdale site, separate plans were recently approved for a McDonald's drive-thru, a Taco Bell, Costa Coffee, a tanning salon and vets.