Newmarket residents could be set to benefit from a £4 million investment in new sports facilities. 

The West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council project could see new facilities built on county council land behind the former St Felix Middle School site, adjacent to the George Lambton Playing Fields, creating a hub for sporting activity in the community.    

The project includes talking to local sports and community groups in the town about how the funding would best be spent. 

Plans would be subject to formal agreement of both councils and necessary planning permission and consents being sought and granted.

While not finalised, the investment would make it possible to create facilities including new badminton and basketball courts, space for gymnastics and community facilities.

This would be in addition to the creation of two new floodlight tennis courts on the St Felix site which have already been agreed.

Each council would plan to contribute £2 million towards the scheme.

Councillor Ian Shipp, cabinet member for leisure for West Suffolk Council, said: "This is an ideal opportunity to invest with Suffolk County Council in new and much needed leisure improvements in Newmarket.

"No decisions on details have been made but this gives us the flexibility of engaging and working with local groups and sports organisations, which we are due to begin with a meeting this week, to hear their views and make sure they help shape the provision of any future facilities.

"We have budgeted £2 million to help bring forward proposals, especially where there are gaps in sports provision, as part of our strategic priority of supporting and encouraging thriving communities.

"This will aim to help improve the health of local communities and access to new and modern sporting facilities."

Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s leader, said: "Suffolk County Council is committed to returning the former St Felix Middle School site to active community and sports use – working with partners to shape proposals.

"Its proximity to residential homes and other facilities has the potential to create a hub for people to enjoy. This represents a real opportunity to create valuable community and sporting facilities for Newmarket."