Grange Park Parish Council has been given planning permission for the new facility, to be built in Foxfield Country Park, by South Northamptonshire Council. The new building will include two sets of changing rooms, a function room and a meeting room, and will be an alternative community space to the community centre, which is facing increasing demand.

The application statement said: "The new pavilion and pitches will primarily be used by football clubs for fixtures, training and for hosting activities outlined in the football development plan. Out of season, the facility will host Grange Park Cricket Club. Community groups will make regular use of the facility and, in summer months the facility will also offer an important resource for sport and other activities for Grange Park Primary School."

The council's development control committee approved the plans on the conditions that risk and noise assessments are carried out and that the pavilion is closed from 10pm to 8am.

Parish council chairman Tony Walker said: "We are, as a parish council, now looking for the balance of funding. We've got 50 per cent at the moment and this project will cost nearly £1 million because it's not just the sports pavilion but we've also got to put in adequate drainage, which wasn't there before. Half of the money has come from Prologis, which was a settlement that South Northants Council got for us.

A date for starting the work is expected once the remaining funds have been secured.