AN ambitious £474,000 scheme to transform Hulton Lane playing fields with four new football pitches will kick off next month.

Bolton Council’s blueprint, part of a £2million investment into sporting facilities across the town, was given the go-ahead by an independent planning committee in March.

The plans include two adult pitches, one youth pitch and one junior pitch to meet new FA guidelines, as well as changing rooms, toilets and a car park.

There will also be a rounders field during the summer, and a multi-use games area and playground for children is also set to be installed on the green space.

Cllr Nick Peel, executive member for environmental services, said the new playing fields will offer year-round opportunities for people of all ages to get active.

He said: “Taking part in sports and recreational activities is really important as part of a healthy lifestyle.

“The further investment we will be making in draining other pitches, refurbishing tennis courts and creating cycle trails should mean that there is something to take part in for everyone across the Bolton borough.”

Hulton ward councillor Andy Morgan said he was delighted that the scheme had finally been given the go-ahead after years of campaigning.

He said: “We really welcome the investment into the ward and for the people of Bolton.

“The vast majority of residents living next to the fields are really excited about the prospect of getting the fields back to how they used to be 30 years ago.”

Builders will start work in April which will involve much-needed draining of the grass to stop it becoming waterlogged during the winter months.

As part of the £2million investment programme, the council says it will also invest £300,000 in refurbishing tennis courts across Bolton, more than £200,000 on multi-use games areas, approximately £150,000 on cycle trails and £60,000 on Bolton’s first outdoor gym.

Town hall bosses say there are also plans to invest more than £600,000 across other playing fields including drainage of pitches at Green Lane, Horwich; Leverhulme Park; Vicarage Road, Blackrod; and Westhoughton Central Park as well as new changing rooms at Harper Green Playing Fields and Queens Park.