A controversial new sports centre in Gloucester has taken a step closer to being built after receiving a £2.5million funding boost.

The Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub has been awarded the grant from the Youth Investment Fund to help bring the project to life.

The £5m project has also been earmarked for £1.8m of developer contributions by Gloucester City Council.

It approved plans for the complex on Blackbridge playing fields in Podsmead earlier this summer, despite more than 600 residents signing a petition to block the scheme.

At the time, Cllr Stephanie Chambers, a cabinet member whose remit covers planning and housing strategy, said the plans would bring "health and wellbeing" to many people.

The hub will include new youth facilities, learning and social space for all ages as well as sports pitches with a 3G all-weather football pitch, fitness gym, changing rooms and studio space for activities like yoga, pilates and martial arts.

The two-storey building with viewing terrace will also provide space for community and youth events and activities, plus a bar and kitchen providing healthy food options.

Councillor Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: "I am delighted that the Youth Investment Fund has seen the merits of this ambitious project.

"It will bring huge benefits to local people and give sports clubs access to some top class sporting facilities. It will also provide spaces for the community to come together and above all open up more opportunities for our young people."

The project is being driven by Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society (BCCBS) a community group aiming to improve the facilities for local people and sports clubs. Once established the project will be entirely community owned and managed.

Gloucester City Council's cabinet agreed at a meeting in July to take on the freehold of part of the land for the new hub from Gloucestershire County Council, who is donating it. It will then be leased, together with the remaining land owned by the city council, to BCCBS on a 125-year lease.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, cabinet member for finance and change at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "The new hub will help to boost the number of people taking part in sports and community activities and improve health and wellbeing in the area, with residents having access to modern and welcoming facilities right on their doorstep."

Gerry Hartin, BCCBS director and Podsmead resident for 70 years, said the funding was excellent news for young people in the local area and would allow them to create lots of new opportunities and improve their wellbeing.

She added: "This ambitious project would not have been possible without the unstinting support of the Youth Investment Fund, the County and City Council, the MP and our ward councillor."

The project has been backed by sporting organisations including Sport England, the Football Association, England Hockey, the Rugby Football Union, the English Cricket Board and the Gloucestershire Active Partnership.

Efforts have also been made to ensure the development has a positive impact on the environment with plans to improve the biodiversity of the site through wildflower and tree planting that would see over 100 new trees planted.

It would also use sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) to improve local habitats and see the installation of bird and bat boxes.

Cllr Sebastian Field (LD, Podsmead) said the money marked a "significant step forward" for the project and congratulated BCCBS on its work securing the grant.

Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, said: "Wonderful news of government support for a local initiative and council priority that should make a big difference to sport in Podsmead and Tuffley."