Postponements may jeopardize £1.3m football project

A local football club has indicated that postponements by the council in reaching a decision on a planning request might jeopardize its £1.3 million relocation to a new facility. Steve Parker, who chairs Crewe FC, stated that the additional two-month postponement could endanger over £1 million in funding the club has already obtained. Connor Naismith, the Member of Parliament for the town, has pressed the local government body to expedite its ruling. Cheshire East Council commented that it is collaborating with the relevant parties to “resolve the remaining matters”. Crewe FC operates as a community-focused club, comprising approximately 40 teams, which include male and female squads across all age groups, as well as teams dedicated to individuals with disabilities. The club has been planning a relocation from its current playing grounds at the Cumberland Arena to the King George V Playing Fields within the town. An agreement for the relocation was reached between the council and the club in May, followed by the submission of a planning application in September. The decision on this application was initially scheduled for November, but has since been postponed to January. Mr Parker indicated that over £1 million in funding, designated to the club by the Football Foundation, might be “at risk” due to these postponements. He stated: “The entire project is cost neutral to the council.” He added: “They will pay nothing and ultimately they will be the owner of a new £1.3m facility.” He further explained: “But in order to do that, the planning application that is currently in has to be approved, even with conditions, to allow the Football Foundation to access that funding.” He urged Cheshire East Council to “pull their finger out”. Connor Naismith, the Labour Member of Parliament representing Crewe and Nantwich, informed BBC Radio Stoke that the council ought to “prioritise” the club’s submission. He commented: “This is a unique example where we can deliver something that Cheshire East clearly needs and Crewe clearly needs without the council really having to spend a penny.” He added: “The project has to meet certain timescales to achieve funding from the Football Foundation, and the delays mean that now the project is unlikely to meet those timescales unless a decision is made very, very quickly.” He also expressed apprehension that the initiative might not proceed. Councillor Mick Warren, who chairs Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, stated: “We are working with all relevant parties to resolve the remaining matters and a decision will be made at committee in January.” Further reports from Cheshire are available from the BBC, and updates from BBC Stoke & Staffordshire can be accessed via BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. This content is copyrighted by BBC, 2024. All rights are reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material found on external websites. Information regarding external linking practices is available.