A SOCIAL housing company could end up paying £80,000 towards the upgrade of sports pitches in Middlewich so it can redevelop a derelict site in Crewe for affordable housing.

The Guinness Partnership wants to build 73 homes on the site of the former Crewe LMR Club on Goddard Street.

If planning permission is granted Guinness will be asked for £80,000 to compensate for building the homes on sports land, even though the site is derelict and the pitch hasn't been used since about 2007.

In a report due to go before Wednesday's meeting of Cheshire East's southern planning committee, the planning officer states: "The former use of the site was a football ground, and included a sports club building, associated outbuildings and a small grandstand.

"However, the site is now vacant with all the former buildings demolished."

The officer states that, although the sports pitch hasn't been available for public use since 2007 and currently there is no public access, "the site is still currently designated as a playing pitch in policy terms".

Sport England has a holding objection remaining on the site in relation to the loss of the playing pitch.

To compensate for the loss of the Crewe pitch, Guinness is being asked to make a contribution of £80,000 which, it is proposed, be used towards the Sutton Lane pitch improvement project at Middlewich.

Guinness wants to build 42 independent living apartments and 31 houses on the Goddard Street site. All would be affordable homes.

The officer states in the report: "The site is in a very sustainable location within walking distance of most amenities, such as shops, pubs, restaurants, bus stops, railway station, schools, leisure facilities and open space with Crewe Town Centre in walking distance."

Crewe Town Council has welcomed the application, although the police have objected raising concerns about parking.

Seven neighbours have sent letters of representation to the council.

Some have welcomed the redevelopment of the derelict site while others fear there will be an impact on traffic congestion and the development will be too close to neighbouring properties.

Others have said the loss of green space is unacceptable and the land should be used for a community-based project such as a park or community centre.

The planning officer says the development is considered to be acceptable and it has been recommended for approval.

That approval, if granted, will involve delegation to the head of planning in consultation with the chair of the southern planning committee for additional consultation with Sport England.

The southern planning committee meets at 10am next Wednesday (August 25) at Sandbach Town Hall.