Multi-million pound football hub go-ahead
A LONG-AWAITED new football hub is finally set to be built in the north west of Newcastle, after a dispute over cricket pitches was resolved.
Councillors have approved plans to turn the Bullocksteads Sports Ground in Kenton Bank Foot into a new Parklife centre, boasting nine pitches and a two-storey pavilion.
The development had been thrown into doubt earlier this year when Sport England, one of the multi-million pound project’s main backers, lodged a shock objection against Newcastle City Council’s plans - which it claimed would be “detrimental to the interests of cricket” in the city.
Bullocksteads had previously catered for football, rugby and cricket, but no provision for cricketers was included in the new development. But the row has been put to bed, after the council promised to install a new cricket wicket at the Brunswick Recreation Ground using football pitches that are expected to be vacated when teams move to the Bullocksteads facility.
That meant that the Bullocksteads proposal, which has been in the works since 2018 and was originally earmarked to open last summer, could finally be granted permission by the council’s planning committee on Friday morning.
However, the fact that the development is on green belt land means that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, must be consulted before it goes ahead
The Ponteland Road facility is one of two proposed Parklife hubs in the city, alongside already approved Blakelaw Recreation Ground plans, expected to cost up to £11m.
The initiative has also been sponsored by the Football Association and the Premier League, and it is hoped both facilities will be ready to open in August 2022.
Kenton ward councillor Stephen Lambert told yesterday’s meeting that the centre would bring “significant benefits” for communities in the north west of the city.
Under the plans, Bullocksteads’ existing changing room building would be replaced by a two-storey pavilion that would also feature a cafe, coaching room, fitness suite, and studio space.
Two artificial 3G pitches, which will be floodlit and have surrounding spectator areas, and seven new grass pitches are also part of the plans - as are a 280-space car park and an outdoor children’s play area.
After concerns had also been raised by the Rugby Football Union, one of the pitches will be used for rugby. Councillors also heard that, while the new cricket wicket proposed at Brunswick is not yet guaranteed, the local authority has committed to provide one elsewhere if that site was deemed unsuitable for any reason.
While the project was deemed to be “inappropriate” within the green belt, council planning officers said that the “tangible social, health and economic public benefits” it would bring would outweigh any negative impact.
The council’s director of place, Michelle Percy, said: “Football is in Newcastle’s blood so I know this multi-million-pound sports hub will be warmly welcomed.
“It will offer nine new football pitches of various sizes including two floodlit 3G artificial pitches, a fitness suite, children’s play area, community studio and cafe. It’s a significant investment in sport and leisure that will promote health, fitness and community spirit. It will enhance the natural environment and hopefully nurture our next generation of football stars.”