Plans for a new state-of-the-art outdoor sports centre have been approved.

The Centre for Outdoor Sport in Burgess Hill will include a floodlit 3G football pitch, an artificial grass rugby pitch, a modern changing facility, three junior natural turf football pitches, a full-sized natural turf football pitch and an artificial cricket wicket with a turf outfield.

A fully equipped play area will also be created at the centre, which will be situated on an 8.6-hectare block of land within the Brookleigh development.

Mid Sussex District Council is working with government housing and regeneration agency Homes England.

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A small number of trees will be removed for site development but the council said it and Homes England are committed to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity with a planting plan.

Overall, more than 200,000 new trees and shrubs will be planted as part of the wider Brookleigh development. 

Chris Hobbs, cabinet member for leisure and customer services, said: "We are really pleased to see the approval of the Centre for Outdoor Sport in Burgess Hill, a facility that will undoubtedly become a cornerstone of community life, and we are eagerly looking forward to commencing the work on this project later this month.

“This achievement marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we extend our gratitude to Homes England for their invaluable partnership. Together, we are working to create an exceptional recreational hub that will enhance the lives of residents and sports enthusiasts both in our local community and also further afield.

“The development of the CFOS is just, however, one piece of the jigsaw of sports provision across the district. We are working with a number of community groups and sports clubs to review what's already in place and to explore new opportunities for improvement.”

The acquisition of the site by Mid Sussex District Council incurs no costs to residents' council tax funds, as it is provided by Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency.

Homes England is contributing £4.75 million through Section 106 funding towards the development and future maintenance of the facility. The entire £6 million project cost will be fully covered by Section 106 contributions from local developments.