New artificial full-size pitch and pavilion set to…

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

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.

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 with The Football Association’s (FA) current technical guidance, the aspiration is to introduce multiple pitch markings to gain the maximum
football developmental outcomes and benefit from the site footprint.”

The current vehicle entrance off Unsworth Street would be widened to provide improved visibility into and out of the site and to cater for the larger car park being proposed.

The application said that if approved a booking system would be put in place. The proposed 3G pitch and pavilion will be managed by the Radcliffe Football Foundation under a long term management lease from Bury Council.

The opening and closing of this facility will be managed by the existing site team with the facilities supervised at all times and users will be expected to comply with a code of conduct. This will include not leaving litter at the site, refraining from foul or abusive language and using the designated parking provided without causing nuisance to neighbours.