PLANS to 'revitalise' redundant sports facilities in Bromborough have been approved - but backing for a related-scheme has to be given if work is to go ahead.
Wirral Council's planning committee gave the green light to Elan Homes and Bromborough & Eastham Junior Football Club proposals for the facility on Pool Lane when it met on Thursday (November 7).
A planning application is still to be considered for redevelopment of the now derelict former Octel Sports Club site approval, on which 104 new homes would be built.
Without this, the sports facilities may never be delivered.
Planning officers had recommended that the planning application for sports facilities should be refused due to the use of part of the site for car parking and the size and location of the car park within the Bromborough Pool conservation area. However, a majority of councillors on the planning committee voted to approve the proposals.
The proposals will provide new football pitches at the former Prices Sports Club at Pool Lane in Bromborough Pool and the derelict club house will be transformed into a community centre with multi-functional spaces and changing rooms.
External works include the creation of two new sports pitches, tree and hedge planting, and additional on-site parking.
Bromborough & Eastham Junior Football Club will operate and manage the facility to serve the club’s 600 young players, representing boys and girls of all abilities aged between four and 16.
The club, with 37 registered teams, actively promotes junior football, including participation in various leagues. The club facilities at Bromborough Pool will also be available for the community to hire when not in use by the football club.
The sports proposals are intended as the improved replacement for the below standard pitches at the failed former Octel Sports Club in Bromborough, which closed in early 2020.
A planning application is still to be considered for redevelopment of the now derelict former Octel Sports Club site, which will provide an attractive setting for 104 new homes, with no impact on Wirral’s Green Belt.
Elan Homes say that should the planning application for new homes on the former Octel Club site be approved, the developer would fund the revitalisation of the former Prices Sports Club which would then be provided on a long lease to Bromborough & Eastham JFC.
Further financial contributions from Elan Homes will secure improvements to local cricket, tennis and bowls facilities elsewhere in the Borough.
Rhys Platten, chair of Bromborough & Eastham Junior Football Club, said: "Naturally we are delighted that Wirral Council’s planning committee approved the application to revitalise the currently derelict former Prices Club building and create two football pitches for community use.
"Since we established in 2015, our football club has grown rapidly with over 600 members across 37 registered teams, catering for children of all ages and abilities. However, there is huge demand placed upon existing pitches in Wirral."
Mr Patten continued: "Wirral’s Council’s own Pitch Strategy, recognises an urgent need to improve playing pitches and youth football facilities and finds that only 3.3% of local pitches meet “good quality” standards.
"Our club alone grows by 10% annually, yet council space is simply unable to meet this demand. Without transformation of the former Prices Club, secured through private investment, we may be forced to turn children away—something that no community club wants to do.
"We are grateful to Wirral Council's planning committee for approving our plans to try and secure a new home for the club.
"We see this as a vote of confidence in us as a club, and recognition of the positive work we do in the community.”
A spokesperson for Elan Homes said: "For some time now, we have worked closely with officers at Wirral Council to bring forward a high-quality new housing development on the former Octel Club site.
"To deliver this much-needed housing, we also intend to provide replacement sports facilities elsewhere in the area. Approval by the planning committee for the Pool Lane proposals is a great first step."
The spokesperson added: "If the linked planning application for the former Octel Club is now approved, this will enable the Council to satisfy demand for new housing in the short-term, reducing the pressure for Green Belt land to be released for future housing development and generate funds to address the recognised need for dedicated local sports facilities.
"However, without approval of housing on the former Octel Sports Club there will be no funds to invest into the fantastic sports proposals at Pool Lane as well as the improvements to local Cricket, Tennis and Bowls facilities elsewhere in the Borough.
"We look forward to the application being presented to the planning committee for a final decision.”
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