A BOROUGH-owned park is to get a new games area for football, netball, cricket and basketball.

The scheme for Great Harwood's Lowerfold Park will be sited on the existing tennis courts. although one will be kept and refurbished.

The nearby children's play area will also be renovated.

Hyndburn Council has drawn up the scheme for the new multi-use games area at the park on Lowerfold Road.

It has submitted a planning application for the proposal for consideration by officials and if necessary councillors.

The Design and Access Statement submitted with the application says: "Lowerfold Park in the town of Great Harwood is owned and managed by Hyndburn Borough Council for recreational purposes.

"The siting of a multi-use games area will complement the existing sports and recreation provision within the park which includes a large children’s play area, tennis courts and bowling green, with a network of paths throughout the park, mature trees and floral displays.

"The park slopes from the top of the park in the north to the south, although there are a series of level areas created throughout the park providing level recreation facilities including tennis courts, a children’s play area and a bowling green

"The play area caters for children whose age is three to 14.

"To enhance the parks offering as a local public park for families in the area and to complement the existing features a multi-use games area is proposed to provide opportunities for a wide range of ballsports including football, netball, cricket and basketball.

"It will be positioned on the existing tennis courts although a single tennis court will remain and will be refurbished as part of the proposal.

"By providing a facility of this kind to complement the existing play area the leisure facility would be classified as a Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play using the Fields in Trust national guidelines and would be suitable for families within a 15 minute walk from the facility or a 1,000 meter radius catchment area.

"Currently the only access to the tennis courts is either up or down a flight of steps depending upon the visitors approach.

"To ensure better access for all is available to the refurbished tennis court and new games area a small series of steps are to be removed from the small formal Cliffe Lane entrance and replaced with a path with a

shallow gradient. "