New artificial full-size pitch and pavilion set to boost grass roots football in Radcliffe

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A new floodlit artificial football pitch, pavilion and 83-space car park are set to be built at playing fields in Radcliffe.

Plans have been submitted this week for the leisure development at Red Bank Playing Fields, Unsworth Street.

Bury Council said the 106m x 70m playing surface would be designed to accommodate a variety of youth football pitches, a rugby pitch and football training areas. The plans also include a 4.5 metre mesh fence and six 15 metre high sports floodlight columns around the synthetic pitch along with a single storey pavilion.

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There will be an 83 space car park and revised access to the playing fields. The fields currently house seven grass football pitches with car park for 20 spaces and a pavilion that is in a poor condition in the south west corner.

The site is bordered by houses and Radcliffe Cricket Club is to the west of the site. The council has been working with Radcliffe FC, the Football Foundation and Lancashire County FA on funding the project.

A design and access statement published by the council, said: “This application seeks permission to create a new external Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) to improve sporting and recreational facilities at the playing fields.

“The provision of a new AGP will provide increased usage in comparison to the existing grassed playing field for the benefit of the existing club, partner organisations and sports clubs and in the surrounding area, via pre-arranged and structured access. The new AGP will offer a variety of football pitches and training areas within the same enclosed playing space to support development plans into grassroots football.

“In accordance