PLANS to build 73 affordable homes in Crewe have been delayed because councillors aren't happy the £80,000 being paid to compensate for the loss of a former sports pitch would go to Middlewich.

The Guinness Partnership wants to build the 42 independent living apartments and 31 houses on the site of the former LMR club and sports field on Goddard Street.

But the social housing company will have to contribute £80,000 towards a new football pitch for building the homes on 'sports land', even though the site is derelict and the pitch hasn't been used since 2007.

Cheshire East officers said there was no suitable site in Crewe which could be upgraded and recommended the money go towards improving the Sutton Lane playing fields at Middlewich.

Sport England, which had initially objected to the application because of the loss of the sports pitch, had withdrawn its objection once an alternative site had been found.

But not one member of the southern planning committee agreed the money from a Crewe development should go to another town, and the decision to defer the application was unanimous.

Crewe West councillor Connor Naismith (Lab) told Wednesday's meeting: "The bottom line with the application is that Crewe is being asked to accept more development without adequate compensation in terms of infrastructure and services.

"What little mitigation there is, goes to a field in Middlewich."

Cllr Hazel Faddes (Crewe East, Lab), speaking as a visiting councillor, said: "We are in desperate need of decent sports pitches in Crewe."

Planning officer Daniel Evans said there wasn't a suitable site in Crewe, as it had to be a football pitch.

When councillors suggested the Razza, he said this was contaminated land and would cost too much, the Georges did not have the space and the Cumberland was an athletics track.

Cllr Laura Smith said she understood improving the Razza may cost a lot but suggested there may be grants which could be applied for.

"I find it difficult to vote in favour of a housing development that young people, families, aren't going to benefit from outdoor facilities. I just don't understand how you can start to justify that to residents," she said.

Committee chair, Dane Valley councillor Andrew Kolker asked: "If this committee were to ignore the requirements of Sport England, and devise its own requirements for the direction of the funding for not necessarily a football pitch, but a place to exercise and play within Crewe, what would be the ramifications of that?"

Mr Evans said if the committee approved an application against Sport England's recommendation they can refer it to the Secretary of State.

Crewe North councillor Jill Rhodes said: "This plot sits in one of the most deprived wards in the country where people's life expectancy is 10 years less than the rest of Cheshire and we are being asked, as a committee, to take away the possibility of an option of healthy lifestyle to the people of Crewe and give that option to Middlewich.

"There is a football pitch at the Cumberland sports ground which I know needs upgrading."

Shavington councillor David Marren said Crewe Town Council should have been consulted about a suitable site.

He proposed the application be deferred so further discussions could take place with Ansa, the council's wholly owned company responsible for grounds maintenance, and Crewe Town Council about playing pitch provision in Crewe.

Councillors also wanted discussions to take place with the anti-social behaviour team about the rear parking courtyard on the development and with Guinness about the provision of more cycle spaces on site.