Recreation fund reaches £800,000

A scheme to provide sporting and leisure facilities for young people on new developments in Suffolk has accumulated a fund of £800,000.

Suffolk Coastal's Outdoor Play Space Fund (OPSF) is inviting town and parish councils to apply for grants.

The fund was set up in 2001 to enable recreation facilities to keep up with the growth of new housing developments.

Builders are required to donate money to the fund when they gain planning permission for housing projects.

Mary Neale, Suffolk Coastal cabinet member for leisure and countryside, said: "I would encourage town and parish councils across the district to bid for OPSF support to improve their local play areas or sports grounds, as it really makes a difference to the quality of life of people of all ages living in our communities.

"Right now there is over £349,000 available for play facilities, and over £440,000 available for sports facilities."