A plan for a new £500,000 sports pavilion at Springfield Hall Park has been agreed in principle by Chelmsford borough councillors.

Executive member for arts and leisure, Cllr Ian Roberts, told the executive board on Wednesday that the present pavilion facilities were inadequate, and particularly so in view of the recent decision to provide more pitches at the park.

"The current pavilion was built some years' ago and due to lack of funds only half of it was built, " he said.

"It hasn't got enough changing rooms, I am proposing a new pavilion which will provide for all the anticipated use in the future and also additional toilet facilities for park users."

Subject to planning permission, and funding being made available, it would be hoped to provide the new pavilion in 2003/04, he added.

The full cost of the new pavilion has been estimated at £516,560.

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