Plans for a community centre at Strang corner field in Braddan have been approved by government planners.

The project (17/00829/B) will include a full size sports hall with fixed seating, a gym, outdoor play areas, a coffee shop, a dentist, an optician, a therapy suite, a dispensing pharmacy, a nursery and the commissioners office.

It is hoped work on the community centre will start by the middle of next year.

A Braddan Commissioners spokesman said they had considered the cost of an original plan to be too high and had sought ways to reduce the cost.

The spokesman said: ’The building has become marginally smaller but with better use of space has become more attractive and functional.

’It’s still unique to the island with a mix of facilities and services that has not been seen before in one building.

’The changes to the building were significant enough to return to planning, and it has received approval.

Changes include a reduction in floorspace of 172 sq/m and decreasing the sports hall’s width and seating capacity.

The spokesman continued: ’The commissioners have instructed their design team to take the project to a position where tenders can be sought, and if they are at a level that the commissioners feel is affordable, they will seek approval from central government for the project to go ahead.

’In terms of timing, if everything goes to plan and approval is given by central government, the commissioners would like to see the work commence in the middle of next year with an 18 to 20 month build period.’

Work must begin no more than four years from the date of the planning decision and the development cannot commence until a hard and soft landscaping scheme has been approved. Prior to the building coming into use, details of the siting and design of a pedestrian crossing on Braddan Road, Strang, must be agreed in writing by the department.

Braddan commissioners are seeking expressions of interest in the aspects of the facility.