Sports hub £23m upgrade to begin this autumn

Plymouth Argyle said plans have been approved to transform Brickfields, in Devonport

The £23m redevelopment of a sporting centre including new football pitches and athletics facilities is set to begin this autumn.

Plymouth Argyle said plans have been approved to transform Brickfields, in Devonport, into a sporting centre of "excellence and asset" for the wider city community.

It said 26 leases and other legal agreements have been completed and work could soon begin on the site.

Plymouth City Council said it was the "biggest sport and health investment Plymouth has seen since the opening of the Life Centre".

The council's cabinet member for customer services, sports and leisure, Sue Dann, said it had been a "hugely complex scheme", adding it was the most significant sports pitch hub development in Devon and Cornwall.

"All the players involved have been dedicated to the idea of this transformational sports regeneration scheme – not just for the elite super fit athletes but for creating revitalised facilities for the people of Plymouth – and Devonport in particular – to help them remain healthy and well," she said.

The new hub will be run by Plymouth Argyle Community Trust, the council added.

The trust said the project would deliver a new permanent home for Plymouth Argyle's youth team, the Argyle Academy, and Plymouth Argyle Women.

The centre will include new grass and all-weather 3G pitches, athletic facilities for the City of Plymouth Athletics Club and other users, a play zone for public use, better public access, landscaped public areas and parking.