Plans to develop a new Youth Zone in Preston have been given the green light.

National youth charity, OnSide, received planning permission for the state-of-the-art youth centre which will provide young people with opportunities to engage in activities and access support from skilled youth workers.

Expected to open in 2025, the Youth Zone will be located in the town centre on the corner of Crooked Lane and Tithebarn Street.

Amenities include a state-of-the-art four-court sports hall, a rooftop 3G outdoor kick pitch, a fully-equipped gym, a boxing and martial arts room, a music room complete with a built-in recording studio, an arts and crafts area, a climbing wall, a dance studio, a sensory room, and a mentoring kitchen.

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Preston Youth Zone is being delivered by OnSide, in partnership with Preston City Council and Preston Towns Fund Board who will be contributing towards the building and running costs. In March it was confirmed that the Youth Zone will receive a grant from the DCMS' Youth Investment Fund which means all of the building costs have now been secured and focus will turn to raising the remainder of the running costs which will come from private sector and philanthropic donations.

Guy Topping, Preston Youth Zone Chair said: "This is an important milestone in the Preston Youth Zone journey and exciting news for young people living in Preston and beyond. Preston Youth Zone is a local, inspirational charity that will provide thousands of young people with access to activities, opportunities, and support from trusted youth workers. So much hard work has gone into getting us to this point and I want to thank everybody who has helped make this dream a reality."