A LEISURE centre is set to receive a facelift in a bid to ‘generate positive attitudes in sport’ among young people.

An application submitted by the Ribble Valley Community Sports Trust to upgrade and refurbish facilities at Roefield sports pitches in Clitheroe was approved by the council’s planning committee despite six letters of objection from the public.

Work will now begin at the facility, which is located alongside the Ribblesdale Swimming Pool and Edisford Sports Complex, to build a new full-size aside artificial grass pitch (AGP) and to refurbish four tennis courts which are already located at the site.

Speaking about the plans to rejuvenate areas of the centre, a spokesman said: “This proposal will give rise to a considerable benefit to the wider community through the provision of an enhanced playing facility and the opportunity for usage throughout the year.

“The provision of the new pitches will provide an increased usage in comparison to the existing grassed football pitch, for the benefit of Clitheroe Wolves FC, other local football clubs, schools, partner organisations and community groups in the surrounding Clitheroe Area.

“It will also offer a variety of football pitches and training areas within the same enclosed playing space to support development plans into grassroots football.

“The proposal also seeks to generate positive attitudes in sport and physical activity in young people and reduce the dropout rate of sport participation with age.”

Four tennis courts are also due to be refurbished and the new artificial pitch will have floodlights.

A spokesman for Ribble Valley Borough Council said: “The proposed pitches and associated works will have an acceptable relationship with the surrounding area in terms of both residential and visual amenity."