Cradley park revamp wins approval

Dudley Council planners approved the plans for Homer Hill Recreation Ground, in Homer Hill Road, saying that developments such as this should be 'welcomed'.

However, Councillor Richard Body, says that a funding grant of up to £500,000 will have to be secured to enable the work to be carried out.

A £250,000 grant was already secured in 2009 to build new changing rooms - but it wasn't enough.

Councillor Body, who is also chair of the friends of the park group, explained: "The money from 2009 was great but it was not enough, it gets harder and harder to obtain any money but we are hopeful that the grant put forward from The Football Trust will be secured in the new year.

"It will cost around £360,000 to build new changing rooms and implement extra parking.

"We have a number of football teams that use the site on a regular basis and the current temporary changing rooms are just not up to scratch."

The temporary changing rooms that are currently rented by Dudley Council from outside providers have estimated hiring costs of up to £50,000 a year, and have been in place since 2009.

Councillor Body added that the changes would be much needed in the local area.

"The changing rooms are just not substantial enough and it's just money going down the drain," he said.

"There is not anywhere else in the area that the teams can go, it is essential that we provide them with the best facilities.

"The car parking is vital too, because at the moment people are parking everywhere.

"To be able to go ahead in this way would mean the world to the community and everyone who uses the park," he added.

The site currently has a pavilion, play area and basketball courts which planning documents say 'are in a poor state of repair and in need of refurbishment'.

Eight football teams currently use the site, including adults team Halas Hawks and various youth teams.

Under new plans the site will see upgraded sporting facilities, including the refurbishment of the current pavilion into the new changing rooms.

The floodlit multi-use games area will have perimeter fencing and be situated near the additional car parking that can be assessed via Homer Hill Road.

The grant will be put in early January with hopes of it being approved by March and work completed by the end of 2016.