A play centre that was sold could be used for community, sports, and worship.
Last year, Nottingham City Council sold the St Ann’s Play Centre, in Nugent Gardens, which had been vacant for more than three years.
It closed in March 2022 and had remained vacant ever since.
The former children’s play centre was put on the market for offers in excess of £170,000.
Plans have now been tabled by Abdouli Jah to use part of the site as a place of worship, while two proposed extensions will provide extra floor space to support the flexible and multifunctional use of the building.
The use of these areas could include community, recreational and ancillary activities, according to the plans.
The two extensions have been proposed to the back of the building, alongside the creation of 15 parking spaces and three accessible bays on an old basketball court.
Plans say it will keep its “primary community function”, and in line with the principle of no loss of existing sports provision, a new and enhanced multi-use games area (MUGA) will be provided within the lower garden.
Residents living in the area have welcomed the proposed revival of the centre.
William, 70, who worked as a caretaker at the centre 20 years ago, said: “Since it’s been gone, there’s nothing for the children to do.
“I’m very pleased, those kids used to need somewhere to let of steam, and I used to be their number one target.
“When I see them now, they always say; ‘hi, do you remember me?’ – and I say ‘I could never have forgotten you’.”
Jacqueline Rennie, 71, who has lived in St Ann’s for 40 years, said: “I’d like to see it become somewhere that young kids can go. They have nothing to do, they roam around the streets doing nothing.”
Resident of 19 years Steve Wynn, 75, added: “Kids used to play there. I’m happy to hear that it’s reopening.
“There have been drug dealers and all sorts in there. We’re keen to see it used for a good purpose.”
A planning statement says: “The building is structurally sound, although has suffered from a number of break-ins during the time it has been closed.
“The new owners would like to bring the centre back to life and add extensions to the rear to provide additional space to support the growth of the centre and enhance the facilities they have available.
“The proposed extensions will provide additional internal floorspace to support the flexible and multifunctional use of the building, including community, recreational and ancillary activities, thereby enhancing the overall capacity and functionality of the facility.
“The proposed prayer space will also provide a quiet and reflective environment capable of supporting wider community well-being, including use by individuals or groups for support and mental health related activities.”
Documents show the community and sports hall facility will operate on a daily basis generally between the hours of 7am and 11pm, with activities distributed throughout the day and evening.
The prayer space will operate within these hours, with the exception of early morning (dawn) prayer, which may take place as early as 4am in the summer months and 7am in the winter.
However, plans state there will be a maximum of approximately 10 attendees expected at any one time, and the majority of users are anticipated to be local residents who would typically travel to the site on foot.