Plans to give sports pitch £1.4m facelift
An all-weather sports pitch and large new gym will be created at a South Staffordshire football club under £1.4 million plans unveiled today.
The sports fields at Long Lane Park, Essington, are only used at weekends, while the clubhouse hasn't been used regularly since Wyrley Rangers FC moved out in 2005. Plans have already been discussed with the parish council.
Developer Gareth Woodberry is drawing up a proposal to replace the grass pitches with artificial, all-weather turf, and transform the old clubhouse into a gym. "This site offers a lot of potential and there is the commercial interest in the area," said father-of-three Mr Woodberry, aged 31, of Hough Way, Essington.
"There are already grass pitches used by Wyrley Juniors football club, also in Long Lane, and we want to complement rather than compete with them.
"That's why we have created an artificial pitch, which they will be able to use during winter."
During the day, he added, the pitch would be hired out for free to the nearby St John's Primary School for PE lessons and sports days.
Help
"I was really keen on doing something to help the school," he said.
He met with parish councillors earlier this week.
Chairman of the council, Councillor David Clifft, said members had been pleased overall with the proposal - but said there were concerns over the increase in traffic.
"Currently, the business model – based at maximum demand – suggests 154 vehicles would access the site at peak times," he said."If the application were to be approved in its current form we would support suggestions that a right-turn lane would need to be installed."
Mr Woodberry said he would introduce discounts for car-sharing and look into ways to improve cycle and footpaths. He hopes to submit a planning application before the end of the year.
