FLOODLIT tennis courts, netball courts and five-a-side football pitches are part of plans for a new multi-use games area (MUGA) in Gillingham.

Blakedown Sport & Play Ltd, on behalf of Gillingham Town Council, has submitted an application for the MUGA to Dorset Council.

If approved, the new facility – measuring 70m x 40m – would be built at Hardings Park, in Hardings Lane, south of the RiversMeet Leisure Centre and near Gillingham School.

And the application said the MUGA would be a valuable recreational asset for the town.

“It invests in the existing sports function of Hardings Park, broadens the range of sports that can be accommodated, improves all-weather availability and provides lighting that allows greater use during shorter winter days,” it said.

Tennis and netball courts, as well as five-a-side football pitches would be marked on the MUGA. Picture: Blakedown/Dorset Council

“Community consultation also demonstrates a clear demand for the sports that the MUGA will provide.”

The plans outline how more than 350 questionnaires on sports provision in the town were received during a town council consultation, with “substantial support” for the development of tennis courts and netball courts.

Details of the application outline plans for four tennis courts, four netball courts, and two five-a-side football pitches marked on the site.

The MUGA would be enclosed by fencing around 3m high, with retractable netting to separate the football pitches.

Floodlighting would come from six columns, around 10m tall.

Earlier plans for the recreation space included a pump track and a junior cycle track, but those are not included in the new application.

The scheme will now go before Dorset Council planners, and for details – and to comment on the plans – log on to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search application reference P/FUL/2026/04905.

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