ALMOST £1 million is set to be invested into a state-of-the-art all-weather football pitch at a Netherton school.

Hillcrest School and Community College has submitted a bid to build a floodlit 3G sports pitch and changing pavilion at its Simms Lane Campus.

The £960,000 bid comes after the Football Association identified the site of “strategic importance” for football in the borough, which Dudley Council said is also reflected in its ‘Playing Pitch Strategy’.

At a recent meeting of the full council, councillors backed the project, which is set to receive £800,000 of funding from the Football Foundation, with the school putting up the remaining £160,000.

As part of the planning process, the pitch will be made available for use by not only the school, but the wider community.

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of the council, said of the plans: “There are a number of issues relating to public health and leisure in the borough with the limited funding we have available.

“That is why projects like this are so important, as money will be invested into the areas of the borough which are most in need.”

According to a report which was presented to councillors outlining the project, design work is still at the feasibility stage with a formal bidding submission for funding set to follow.

Work is hoped to start on the new pitch during the summer.