Crewe and Nantwich MP, Connor Naismith, has raised concerns delays in the planning department at Cheshire East Council are putting at risk an investment of £1.2m in grassroots football playing facilities in Crewe.

The proposals, brought forward by Crewe FC, would see the creation of a 3G artificial grass pitch on the King George V playing fields.

These plans would be funded by a £200k investment from Crewe FC and a bid has been submitted for over £1m in funding from the Football Foundation.

The proposals, brought forward by Crewe FC, would see the creation of a 3G artificial grass pitch on the King George V playing fields (Ryan Parker).

The facilities would address a gap in the provision of these facilities identified within Cheshire East's Playing Pitch Strategy, while also freeing up capacity at The Cumberland Arena, which is currently utilised by Crewe FC.

The planning application was submitted in September and had an initial target decision date in November.

However, several delays have resulted in a new target decision date being announced in January.

Connor Naismith told Nub News: "Crewe has a proud history of investing in sporting talent, but unfortunately we simply do not have the facilities locally to continue that tradition without investment.

"That is why I am very pleased to support the work Crewe FC have done to develop these proposals.

"We urgently need Cheshire East to reach a decision on this application in order to align with the Football Foundation's approval processes.

Crewe and Nantwich MP, Connor Naismith, has raised concerns delays in the planning department at Cheshire East Council are putting at risk an investment of over £1m for Crewe FC's proposed new football pitch (Ryan Parker).

"It would be a disaster for local young people if delays in the planning process meant that this significant investment was lost."

Failure to reach a decision before Christmas is expected to mean the proposal would fail to be heard at the next Football Foundation board meeting, which in turn would result in the facility being unavailable in time for the new football season.

Crewe FC chairman, Steve Parker, said: "Having worked so hard for the past eight years to bring this project to the Crewe community, it would be such a huge shame if we miss out on over £1m of funding now due to unnecessary administrative delays, particularly given the entire project is cost neutral to Cheshire East Council."

"The Football Foundation are waiting for a planning decision before they can rubber stamp the funding they have available through the Future Lionesses Fund.

"At a time when accessing external funding is becoming increasingly difficult, Crewe FC and many other sporting and physical activity groups need this investment to allow them to provide a much-needed new facility for the town and to also free up additional capacity at other venues locally."

"The new facilities will provide the opportunity for thousands of people to continue to take part in the sport they love and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

Failure to reach a decision before Christmas is expected to mean the proposal would fail to be heard at the next Football Foundation board meeting, which in turn would result in the facility being unavailable in time for the new football season (Ryan Parker).

"This is particularly important for our young people, for which sport is a huge part of their life."

"I would implore Cheshire East Council to urgently prioritise this project and to do whatever is necessary in order to align with the Football Foundations timelines, which have been well documented and communicated to them."

Chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, Cllr Mick Warren, said: "We are working with all relevant parties to resolve the remaining matters and a decision will be made at committee in January."

READ MORE: Crewe HMO plans deferred following concerns of 'monk-like cells.'

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