A £700,000 community centre for Eaton Socon, which will include some green features such as a wind turbine, has received planning approval. The application, which has been made by St Neots Town Council, would see the centre built on land close to the Rain

A £700,000 community centre for Eaton Socon, which will include some green features such as a wind turbine, has received planning approval.

The application, which has been made by St Neots Town Council, would see the centre built on land close to the Rainbow superstore on the Great North Road.

St Neots Town Council clerk, Philip Devonald said: "This is good news and we are pleased that the officers supported this project.

"This centre is going to benefit not only Eaton Socon but the whole of St Neots."

The building will have a main hall capable of accommodating 200 people, a social interaction area, kitchen, bar, five meeting rooms, toilets and reception office.

Some of the building's power supply would be provided a wind turbine and solar panels, while there would also be facilities to recycle 'grey' water.

At the front of the centre there will be spaces for 28 cars and at the rear an open space and an additional 18 spaces. The centre will be used to cater for community groups in the area and will also provide a meeting place for organisations catering for

parents and babies, and teenagers.

The project is short of some funds after Cambridgeshire County Council withdrew its financial backing of £220,000 in August.

Mr Devonald added: "We are still short of some of the funds needed for the entire project but we are looking into ways of finding that funding."

One funding option could be for the council to apply for a Lottery grant or to build the project in stages, starting each part as funds are available.

The facilities would be available from 8am to 10pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 11pm on Fridays, 8am to 11.55pm on Saturdays and 9am to 9pm on Sundays.

Work could start on the centre in the middle of next year.