BRIRFIELD: New MUGA opens at former Mansfield High School site

The new area, on the corner of Taylor Street and Elland Road, was opened by the Mayor of Pendle, Coun. Tony Beckett, on Tuesday afternoon.

Football, basketball and cricket pitches are marked out and volleyball can also be played, providing players bring their own posts and nets.

The new pitches have been built on the former site of Mansfield School’s tennis courts after Pendle Council agreed a land swop with Lancashire County Council in 2007 over Benthead playing fields.

Marsden Heights Community College was built on that land as part of the agreement and the county council will also put £30,000 towards the cost of building the MUGA.

Coun. Naeem Ashraf said: “The agreement between ourselves and the county council relating to the development of Bent Head playing fields has really benefited the local community, something that was at the heart of the negotiations for both parties.

“These new MUGAs are a welcome addition to the area’s sports facilities and I hope the local community will get the most from them.”

The MUGA is the second to open in Brierfield, after one opened near to Sackville Street last year, and is also similar to other MUGAs across Pendle. The Sackville Street MUGA has proved popular with children towards the bottom of Brierfield and Pendle Council is hoping the new one at Taylor Street will prove to be as popular with children from the top end of Brierfield.

Coun. Ashraf added: “They are similar in design to the MUGA at Netherfield Road in Nelson, allowing groups to play volleyball as well as football, basketball and cricket. I hope this is as well used as that.”