Black Country football club avoids planning enforcement action
A football club has finally staved off the threat of having to rip out more a £1 million worth of improvements at its Willenhall ground.
Members of Walsall Council’s planning committee have backed recommendations that will enable Sporting Khalsa to retain a number of new features at the Aspray 24 Arena in Noose Lane.
The club had been threatened with enforcement action last year when it emerged a number of improvements had been carried out without the necessary planning permission.
Breaches included the installation of a 3G artificial pitch, spectator stand, hospitality suite and locating changing rooms in a different place to what they had permission for.
The biggest concern came over the stability of a mineshaft based under the new 3G pitch and the need for work to make it safe.
But officers said representatives have worked closely with the authority to be in a position to gain the green light retrospectively, subject to some car parking conditions being finalised with officers.
Walsall Council leader and chairman of the planning committee Mike Bird told the meeting on Thursday (May 28) the club was a big part of the community.
He said: “The issues led to an enforcement order to get them around the table but I think we have now what appears to be a satisfactory solution.
“They do offer a very valuable service to the community.”
Planning officer Alison Ives added: “A lot of works have been undertaken at this site and the applicants have worked with the local authority to try to regularise those.
“It did come about as part of an investigation from an enforcement angle but they have negotiated with us and worked with us well and we feel we are now in a position to support those proposals to retain all the structures on the site.”
The Midland Football Premier League club has a number of men’s, women’s and children’s teams playing at the Aspray.
This new permission means the facility has formal permission to operate as a football club, martial arts club and bar and lounge.
In 2018, Sporting Khalsa unveiled its new £1 million facilities – which was supported by £579,564 grant funding from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund and £75,000 from Sport England.
