Crewe FC has called on Cheshire East Council to explain why its fully funded padel court development remains unable to proceed, more than five months after receiving conditional planning approval.

On 26 February, the club secured conditional permission for three covered padel courts at King George V Playing Fields.

Crewe FC says the project is fully funded by the club, requires no council or taxpayer money and has the backing of the Football Foundation, Sport England and Fields In Trust.

Despite that, construction has yet to begin.

The West Street club claims months of delays, changing requirements and the introduction of a competitive procurement process have prevented work from starting.

Crewe FC says it has complied with every request made by Cheshire East throughout the process.

However, chairman Steve Parker says new hurdles have continued to emerge.

He said: "Conditional planning permission was granted on 26 February. We're now more than five months on and we're still unable to build.

"Crewe FC developed the project, will fund it, have obtained planning permission and secured formal consent from the Football Foundation.

"We're not asking Cheshire East or local taxpayers for a penny towards construction."

One of the club's main concerns centres on an unsigned Community Use Agreement, which it says is the final planning requirement before conditions can be discharged.

Crewe FC says the agreement has already been accepted by Sport England and Cheshire East's Green Infrastructure officers, with the only outstanding action being the council's signature.

The club argues the council is refusing to sign the document because of the separate procurement process and says it has formally asked Cheshire East to explain the legal basis for that decision.

Another issue raised by the club concerns Cheshire East's suggestion that alternative proposals could be considered, including on land covered by Crewe FC's planning permission.

The club insists the land forms part of its lease and says it would not consent to another organisation constructing or operating padel courts within its leased facility.

Mr Parker added: "We're not asking for preferential treatment. If Cheshire East believes procurement is legally required, we'll participate and our proposal can stand on its merits.

"But, after months of delays, changing requirements and unanswered questions, there needs to be some accountability for why this project is still being prevented from progressing.

"This isn't just paperwork moving between Crewe FC and Cheshire East.

"Every month this drags on is another month local residents and the wider community are denied access to a new sporting facility that is funded and ready to be delivered."

Crewe FC has also questioned why Cheshire East previously raised concerns over the use of public open space, despite acknowledging the proposed development sits on land already disposed of as part of Crewe FC's existing facility.

The club says it remains willing to engage with the council and take part in the procurement process, but believes Cheshire East must now explain why a planning-approved, fully funded community sports project is still unable to move forward.

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