The plans to transform part of East Manchester into a world-beating sport and community facility have been approved by the Manchester Planning Authority.

A joint venture between Manchester City Council, Manchester City Football Club and urban regeneration company, New East Manchester, will develop a 16-acre site in Beswick that will create brand new leisure, education and employment opportunities in East Manchester.

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Beswick's transformation will include a new leisure centre with a public swimming pool, Connell Sixth Form College (a 600-place sixth form college for 16-19 years meeting growing demand for sixth form places in the area) and a sports research centre, offering a world-class research and diagnostic facility to advance the academic study of sport and health.

The plans will also include improved local shops and changes to the road layout, public realm and car-parking infrastructure to improve road safety and create a pedestrian friendly environment.

Planning approval has been granted after a period of consultation – including an exhibition of the plans at The Beswick Library, which is still available to the public – and allows work on site to begin later this year.

(CD/H)