BLUEPRINTS for the £6.5 million Warrington Youth Zone have been approved by planning chiefs.

OnSide Youth Zones’ planning application for the construction of the purpose-built facility was passed by the development management committee at the Town Hall tonight, Wednesday.

The site is located at the junction of Foundry Street and Dallam Lane, to the south of the University Technical College building, in the Stadium Quarter.

Once built, it will feature a sports hall, outside skate park, climbing wall and board room – and will be used by Warrington Youth Club.

Committee member Cllr Bob Barr, leader of the town’s Liberal Democrats, said: "I am extremely pleased to see this application come forward.

"This has been an aspiration for the council for well over a decade."

Rob Carter, deputy chief executive of OnSide Youth Zones, said the site will be 'managed appropriately' and confirmed a new design has been completed specifically for Warrington.

He added: "I do hope the merits of this scheme are obvious from the application.

"We have the advantage of there being an existing club."

In May last year, the executive board backed plans for the youth zone, which will offer affordable activities in sports, arts, music, employability and mentoring for youngsters each week.

The council will contribute around £3 million towards the construction of the site.

Mark Brocklehurst, chairman of Warrington Youth Club, said: “Gaining planning consent is really exciting for everybody involved, especially the young people of the town.

"Warrington Youth Club is already making a huge difference to the lives of young people in the area, but Youth Zones have a remarkable track record of changing the lives of so many more and we can’t wait for that offer to extend to Warrington.

"Our next step is to get on the site and get building this fantastic facility."

Cllr Jean Carter, executive board member for children's services, said she ‘cannot wait to see work start on site’.

She added: "I am delighted that planning consent has been approved for the new Warrington Youth Zone.

"The opportunities it will offer young people from sports to media, arts and preparing for work are hugely exciting and will benefit the whole town."