ONE of York’s universities has secured approval for the next stage of a new sports complex on the edge of the city.

Two full-size all-weather football and rugby pitches, three netball courts and three tennis courts, with floodlights, will be created at the former Rowntree sports park, Mille Crux, off Haxby Road after City of York Council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead to proposals by York St John University.

The university is building its Centre for Sport at the site, which it bought from Nestlé last year, and facilities which have already been opened there include a six-lane, 110m sprint track for students.

The next phase of the scheme will also incorporate a new access road and parking space for 114 cars, eight coaches and 40 bikes, as well as a pedestrian crossing on Haxby Road to link the pitches and courts – which will also be available for some community use – with changing rooms.