A major milestone has been reached in plans to deliver a new all-weather 3G football pitch in Stocksbridge, with the planning application for the project now formally submitted.
The new facility at Bracken Moor Lane, which forms part of the wider investment programme supported through the Stocksbridge Towns Fund, will provide a much-needed year-round sports facility for the town.
If planning permission is granted, the pitch will be used by community groups, Stocksbridge High School, and both junior and senior teams connected to Stocksbridge Park Steels FC.
Extensive technical work has been carried out to make sure the site is suitable for the proposed plans and to allow for the project to move forward to the planning stage.
Currently, many local youth and adult football teams are forced to travel outside Stocksbridge for training sessions and matches during periods of poor weather when existing grass pitches become unplayable. The new 3G facility will help ensure reliable access to sport throughout the year while increasing opportunities for participation across the community.
Graham Silverwood, the Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board member responsible for sports projects, said:
“This is a really important step forward for a project that the community has wanted for many years.
“The work to make sure the site is suitable has been complex, but it means we are now in a position to move ahead with delivering a modern all-weather facility that will benefit local people of all ages.
“If we are successful in gaining planning permission, the new pitch will provide opportunities for Stocksbridge High School, community football, and both adult and junior teams at Stocksbridge Park Steels, while helping keep sporting activity in Stocksbridge rather than teams having to travel elsewhere.”
Graham Furness, Chairman of Stocksbridge Park Steels said:
“Getting to this stage has taken a huge amount of work from everyone involved and we are pleased to see the planning application now submitted.
“The demand for an all-weather facility in Stocksbridge is clear. Local teams regularly lose training and playing time during the winter months, and this development will make a massive difference for players, coaches, schools, and community groups across the area. We look forward to progressing the project further once planning approval has been secured.”
Roger Gissing, Vice Chairman of Stocksbridge Park Steels, added:
“It’s fantastic to see the project get to this stage and I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved so far.
“Hopefully this is the first milestone of many to come as we look to build a facility that benefits not just everyone at Stocksbridge Park Steels, but the town as a whole.”
The project is expected to create a high-quality facility capable of supporting football participation throughout the year while strengthening sporting provision for the wider Stocksbridge community.