Port Vale FC announce plans for community campus

Port Vale's co-owner Carol Shanahan said the development would be a "catalyst for positive change"

A community campus will be created near Port Vale Football Club after £2.3m of government funding was secured.

The project will transform Sproson Park in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, and surrounding land by creating a community hub building, youth football pitches, a multi-use games area, padel courts and walking trails.

It has been spearheaded by the football club, the Port Vale Foundation and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Port Vale co-owner and chair Carol Shanahan said it would be a "catalyst for positive change" in the Burslem community.

"We are creating a place where people can be active, connect with others and feel proud of their local area," she said.

"The campus will provide a platform for long-term community activity, health support and wellbeing opportunities across all ages and abilities, while obviously creating a better community connection to Port Vale FC."

Council leader Jane Ashworth said it would be a "transformational project"

Council leader Jane Ashworth said the funding awarded by the government was "fantastic news" during the city's centenary year.

She added: "It is a transformational project that will bring so many benefits to the community in terms of health, leisure and potential employment opportunities."

The development will be led by sports development consultancy STRI, the council said, with planning, consultation and design works currently underway.

Public engagement events will be organised in the coming months and local partners, businesses and providers will have opportunities to be a part of the project.