A MILLION pound-project to build a sports hall in Whalley is set to be officially announced in the New Year.


The details contained in a feasibility report is due to be presented to the public in early January ahead of the submission of a formal planning application to Ribble Valley Borough Council.


If approved the new sports facility would be build on part of the Queen Elizabeth Playing Field in Mitton Road.


The parish council have been involved with the project as the land owners and have been working with Whalley Sports Club and the Whalley QEII Playing Fields Charitable Trust.


The club and the trust are sent to be combined into a new community interest group.


Funding for the planning application has been secured and the money for the hall will be raised through a combination of external grants and fundraising events.


The project has been in the pipe line for many years and bosses had hoped to submit the planning application earlier this year.


Parish council chairman Coun Martin Highton said: "This has been going on for donkeys years but we are now in a position to announce more details in the New Year.


"The feasibility study has now been conducted and the findings will be presented to the public in January.


"It's a really exciting time for the village because there has always been a need in Whalley for this type of facility.


"Whalley doesn't get the same kind of resources from the borough council as places like Clitheroe or Longridge so this has had to come from local volunteers.


"Hopefully we are on the final stretch of this project and that approval will be given by the borough council sometime next year.


"There is a clear need in the village for a sports hall and it would have a huge impact on everyone here."


The announcement will come after plans for a youth shelter in the site was approved by the borough council earlier this year.


The plan included an outdoor green gym and games area.


Coun Highton said that construction was due to start in the coming months.