A VILLAGE is to get a new community centre and sports facilities.

The development at Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, will include a two-storey building behind the current community centre, with a hall suitable for indoor bowling, a kitchen, a children's play area, changing facilities and a meeting room.

The second floor will contain a fitness room and small gym, changing facilities for Sacriston Cricket Club and a mezzanine floor over the cafe and main hall. There will also be a court that could be used for five-a-side football or other sports.

A playground for toddlers and 50 car-parking spaces will be created outside.

The plans were approved at a Chester-le-Street District Council meeting on Monday. There were no objections, but one letter of support from a resident, who described the proposed centre as a great amenity for the village.

Chester-le-Street District Council planning officers noted that since the closure of the swimming baths in Sacriston, the community centre has been the only focus of activity for people in the village.