Knowsley Council plans to create a new 3G Artificial Grass Pitch and training areas in Page Moss
A new football complex is set to be built in one part of Merseyside and will include a cutting edge artificial grass pitch as well as new sporting facilities for the areas’ children and young people. The new site would also have hardstanding viewing areas, flood lights, acoustic and non-acoustic fencing, ball stop netting and a 51 bay car parking area with bollard lighting.
The proposal has been put forward by Knowsley Council for Jubilee Park, Dinas lane, Roby and plans include a new 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) and a development area designed to accommodate youth sports pitches and training areas.
The council report was presented and approved at this evening’s planning committee meeting in Huyton’s Municipal Building and noted the application would form part of the local authority’s wider Jubilee Park project which includes improvements to the pavilion, but should not be considered in conjunction with it.
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Two rounds of consultation have been undertaken by Knowsley Council resulting in 20 objections and 39 comments in support of the application. The main objections focused on the potential for the development to deplete the existence of Page Moss’s parks and gardens, affect Jubilee Park’s protected public park status and negatively impact the effectiveness of wider climate change policies. However, conditions will be attached to the application which include an environmental management plan.
The application for the new sports complex has also garnered huge support including a letter of recommendation by Liverpool County FA and attracted the interest of local Schools who are looking into utilising the facilities for their pupils. Additionally, individuals expressed their approval for the potential of the project to provide greater access to sports and leisure activities to children and young people and contribute to improved physical mental health outcomes.
The council report detailed the analysis of latent demand for the scheme and noted that several clubs in Knowsley reported they could field more teams if they had increased access to 3G provision. The report stated: “The perception here is that a lack of training facilities prevents them from establishing more teams. Four key clubs raised this as an issue, with one being Huyton Juniors FC.”
The report adds: “The proposed pitch has been designed for use by Huyton Juniors FC who it is proposed will manage this site under a long-term lease from Knowsley Council. It is also proposed that the AGP will be let for community hire when not in use by Huyton Juniors FC.”
The council chamber gave time to Steven Smith who made a representation on behalf of Huyton Juniors FC and said: “The difference this project could make to our club and our local community cannot be underestimated.”
Council leader, Graham Morgan also spoke in support of the proposal and was keen to emphasise the positive impact it would have on the Page Moss community and paid a tribute to the work of Huyton Juniors FC. Cllr Morgan said: “We’ve had a big debate on public health within this chamber, and that’s why I say it [football complex project] ticks a lot of the boxes.
The council leader added: “I think this is going to be a great opportunity for the people of Page Moss, especially in the highlighted area.”
