to renovate playing fields takes step forward
PLANS to renovate the Burrows playing fields in Leckhampton can now go-ahead as a contractor has been appointed.
Cheltenham Borough Council agreed earlier this year to spend more than £350,000 on improving the popular playing fields.
The site is around 15.5 acres of open space and is the home ground of Leckhampton Rovers, Cheltenham’s largest youth and minis football club, and the Broadlands Pre School Play Group.
The playing fields are earmarked for essential levelling and drainage works to the football pitches.
And now the works contract for the improvements has been awarded to Carrick Sports Construction Ltd.
The site was identified in the Chel- tenham Football Facilities Plan as a priority playing field that needed improvements.
And funding for the project was secured by Tewkesbury Borough Council through a section 106 funding agreement as part of planning approval for a development at Farm Lane, which is on the border between Tewkesbury Borough and Cheltenham.
Section 106 funding comes from new developments to create or to upgrade and maintain existing facilities.
Healthy lifestyles cabinet member Flo Clucas said the council has put together bids for funding to renovate, restore and reinvigorate the playing fields so that they can be used by the community.
“I am also pleased to report that only last week we were told the Football Foundation was going to make an award to what we were doing. So that’s a terrific thing to be able to do,” she said.
“That will enable young people in that area to have better access to the playing fields in Leckhampton but also a much more invigorated opportunity because of the restorative work that is going to go on.”
Facilities at the site include four adult size football pitches, two cricket squares, a pavilion, a BMX pump track, a playground, a refreshment outlet and car park.
In 1930 the nearby fields of Moorend Grove became a staff sports ground for the co-operative publishing firm founded by etcher, artist and archaeologist Edward J Burrow. The playing field was later bought by the council.