Cheshire East Council is hoping to make a formal application for funding a new 3G pitch on a Crewe playing field next year, once it has secured a development partner.

The council says there is a shortfall of two 3G pitches within the Crewe area, with plans to provide a new facility at the King George V Playing Fields, Coppenhall Lane.

A report to Thursday's (September 28) meeting of the environment and communities committee says: "The cost of the overall project is to be cost neutral to the council.

Crewe FC aims to take occupation of an area of the King George V Playing Fields, developing the site for a new venue and 3G pitch for all to use (Nub News).

"It is expected a substantial proportion of the funding for the scheme will be obtained in the form of a grant from the Football Foundation, with the balance coming from allocated S106 developer contributions and the development partner."

The committee will be asked on Thursday to give the go-ahead for a competitive procurement exercise for the appointment of a football development partner to work with the council to deliver the scheme.

The project is by no means a done deal.

The report says: "The project is still subject to detailed site investigation, design and obtaining planning and other statutory consents prior to any funding from the Football Foundation being able to be secured."

It continues: "If planning consent is granted, and all other approvals relating to land and property are secured, then a formal application for funding will be submitted in late spring/early summer 2024.

"It is expected an offer of grant funding will be made shortly after that."

Cheshire East Council is hoping to make a formal application for funding a new 3G pitch on King George V Playign Fields in 2024 (Ryan Parker).

Once the initial feasibility works have been completed, a public consultation will be undertaken, prior to any planning application being submitted.

The environment and communities committee meeting takes place at 10am on Thursday 28 September at the council's Westfields HQ, Sandbach.

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