A SHOWDOWN meeting to determine whether a sports centre can be built in Heaton Park has been postponed.

Goals Soccer Centre (GSC) wants to build 12 mini football pitches and other sports facilities near to the St Margaret’s Road entrance.

An application was made to Manchester City Council for permission to build the centre, but following a tide of opposition from people worried about noise and traffic problems, the firm is poised to go back to the drawing board.

The council has confirmed it has received 168 representations in favour of the development and 880 against it.

The council’s environment councillor, Richard Cowell, said: “The applicant has indicated their intention to revise the submitted scheme following the comments received.”

GSC bosses are due to meet council staff in the next fortnight to discuss potential changes to the plan. Mr Cowell added: “Upon receipt of these alterations, we will write to local neighbours notifying them and providing a further period of time to submit comments.”

A decision on whether the centre can be built will now not be made on October 22 as originally scheduled.

It is understood it could be early 2010 before a judgement is made.

A GSC spokesman was not available for comment at the time of going to press.