Plans have been submitted for a Nottinghamshire sports ground to feature a new 'casual play area'.
The Poplars Sports Ground is on private land and is leased by Burton Joyce Parish Council to Severn Trent Water for the provision of the sports facility.
The plans include creating a large enclosed area of around 2,000 square metres on the north side of the ground, and for a multi-use games unit.
Around 1,000 members currently pay for membership to use the ground, which has space for football, cricket, archery, bowls, petanque and netball.
The facility will remain for such club-based activities along with the section that will be made available for free.
Roberts Recreation Ground in Burton Joyce has recently been refurbished, but this is for children under the age of 13.
And now a planning application has been submitted by the Parish Council to Gedling Borough Council for what's described as a 'casual play area' at Poplars Sports Ground for children over that age.
Councillor Robin Ringham, chair of the Poplars Sports Ground Committee, said: "There has been long standing demand from the children of Burton Joyce to have a casual play area, where they can safely play games without being part of a formal or organised group.
"Our newly refurbished Roberts Recreation Ground is a fantastic facility for children of the village, but is only available to children under 13.
"This new facility would cater for all youth above this age group, who want to be able to play sports and take exercise without necessarily being part of a paid and formal club."
To create the enclosed area, it's proposed that 160 linear metres of fencing that is 4 metres in height will be installed, along with 2 access gates.
The Parish Council explains the fencing is for safety, as there is a railway on one side and road on the other, and to help stop balls from going over that fence.
Councillor Laurence King, chair of Burton Joyce Parish Council, said: "The Parish Council has a proven track record at delivering recreational facilities for all ages within the village, including the Poplars Sports Ground, but also more recently the newly refurbished Roberts Recreation Ground playground.
"Having a new facility which encourages fitness and exercise free of charge would be of huge benefit to young people in the community, so we are delighted to be progressing the idea."
The Parish Council has been in discussion with The Football Association about funding, and plans to submit a grant application if the planning application is successful.
To read all the biggest and best stories first sign up to read our newsletters here.
