A SCHOOL has been granted permission to build a new sports facility, which will be available to the community on evenings and weekends.

Immanuel College has been given the go-ahead to build an artificial grass football pitch, netball courts and car parking at its site in Leeds Road, Thackley.

But it has been told it must involve both local councillors and the community in the running of the facility after the meeting heard from ward Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley).

She said in particular she wanted to see Thackley Juniors Football Club "nailed in" to the project, especially as it had a girls' team which had nowhere to play.

The school's agent, Steve Wells, said: "This is a much-needed facility."

The school had applied to use the site from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays.

But the regulatory and appeals committee restricted that to 9am to 9pm Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 5pm at weekends and no bank holiday opening, in response to residents' concerns about being disturbed by noise and floodlights.