A MULTI-use games area (MUGA) in Salisbury is set to be upgraded following the approval of plans.

The MUGA at Gainsborough Close will now see new eight-meter-high fencing, LED floodlights, and a macadam spectator area with benches and bins.

The upgrades are part of efforts to encourage users to make the most of the facilities in the winter months, as well as to encourage more participants.

The plans will see new markings for football, basketball, and volleyball, with goals at each end and four basketball hoops for small-sided games, along with a “basketball system” and two new benches in the spectator area.

Agent MUGA UK Sports Pitch Consultants, who submitted the plans on behalf of Wiltshire Council, said the plans would provide new facilities that would encourage a wider range of participants and see more use in the winter months.

PlayZone facilities, according to the Football Foundation website, are safe, inclusive and accessible outdoor facilities that bring communities together through recreational forms of football and a range of other sports.

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Wiltshire Council’s planning officer who approved the plans on Wednesday (July 23) said: “This proposal would further enhance the existing community facilities in the area, improve its accessibility and would have an acceptable amenity impact on neighbouring properties.

“The design is acceptable and the proposal would be in general accordance with the recreational aims of the newly made neighbourhood development plan, subject to conditions.”

The MUGA at Gainsborough Close was chosen for the new PlayZone facility following a consultation, with the UK’s largest sports charity, the Football Foundation, providing funding through their PlayZone programme.

This programme has been developed to tackle inequalities in physical activity and access to high-quality facilities in areas “with the greatest need”.

The current MUGA is open until 9pm and there are no plans to extend these opening hours.

MUGA UK Sports Pitch Consultants say in the plans that the proposals would provide an opportunity to arrange specialist coaching sessions when daylight is limited, which would further improve skills and performance standards of users.

They added: “The proposal would be of considerable benefit to the local community groups through the provision of a new facility in a previously unused area.”