West Cheshire is set to become a hub for women's and girls football after plans to build a multi-million pound development centre in the region were confirmed.

After extensive research across the county, the Cheshire FA has identified Knights Grange in Winsford as its preferred site for a proposed elite performance centre, and centre of excellence.

Set to be the first major facility of its kind in Europe, profits generated from the site to be re-invested back into grassroots football and the wider sporting community.

The expansive new facility will be developed on the former Knights Grange Golf Club in Winsford and will boast a 3,000 capacity football stadium, elite quality 3G outdoor football pitches, as well as a sports medical facility for elite athletes and sports participants.

Louise Gear, Head of Women’s Participation for The FA, said, “We’re delighted this exciting project is now in the next stages of development.

"It’s great for the local community, its very presence will help raise the profile of women’s football and provide excellent facilities to play all formats of the game.”

The project will be developed through collaboration between Cheshire FA, Cheshire West & Chester Council and ION Developments as well as national sporting facilities grant providers.

Rob Mason, Development Director for ION, said: “After many months of work analysing alternative site options, we are delighted that our project partners have confirmed Knights Grange as the preferred location.

"This will enable us to take scheme development to the next stage and a big step closer to delivering this exciting project.”

The Cheshire FA also confirmed it is working in partnership with a Women’s Super League team with a view to becoming tenants of the new site for training and FA Women’s Super League matches.

Women’s football is the fastest growing sport in the world and this team will be the first female team in the country to have their own purpose-built performance centre.

Stuart Manifould, Project Director at Cheshire FA, said: “We want to create a world class sports facility that is at the heart of the local community. During our feasibility process we reviewed over 30 site locations.

"Knights Grange gives us an opportunity to invest into Winsford as a town and contribute to regenerating the area.

“This facility will have national and international significance in football as well as providing outstanding facilities for community use.

We are really looking forward to working with the council and local residents to maximise this opportunity and deliver a scheme that carries wide ranging benefits.”

There will be activity on site in order to conduct site and land investigations and will be closely followed with a planning application.

The formal development requires 110 acres of the remaining area will be available for the public to use for walking, fishing and outdoor leisure pursuits.