Extra money from council to bring 3G pitch to Radcliffe

Thursday, 8 September 2022 15:50

By David Murphy

Bury Council is investing a further £150,000 in a bid to bring a new all-weather 3G football pitch to Radcliffe.

The cabinet last night approved the extra matched funding, added to the £500,000 already set aside, to create the state-of-the-art floodlit pitch at Redbank playing fields. The project also includes associated parking, a new changing pavilion with club room and grass pitch improvements.

The approval will maximise the potential for external funding following recent increases in inflation that have followed the national trend of rising costs in all areas of construction and building materials.

Council officers have been working closely with the Football Foundation, the County FA and the newly formed Radcliffe Football Foundation to develop a substantial business case and funding application for the proposed new 3G facility in Radcliffe.

Extensive consultation has been undertaken in the community to ensure that the programme of use meets local needs and the project benefits people of all ages and abilities. This included meetings with local groups and voluntary organisations, a social media campaign and a drop-in consultation event at Radcliffe FC.

The bid is a key component of the Radcliffe People and Communities Plan, the borough’s Let’s Do it! strategy, and Radcliffe’s multi-million-pound regeneration programme aiming to bring about improvements to health, wellbeing, physical activity levels and sport participation in an area of high deprivation in the borough.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, said: “At this stage in the funding process, delivery of the new pitch cannot be guaranteed, but two further crucial steps in the process have now been taken.

“The draft business plan has recently been submitted to the Football Foundation and a planning application has now been put forward for the project.

“If the proposed all-weather pitch does get the go-ahead, it will be a fantastic sporting and wellbeing facility for the existing Radcliffe football clubs and also for the wider community where a wide range of wellness activities are proposed.”

3G pitches are made up of synthetic grass filled with cushioning rubber as a performance infill. The surface allows for better grip, smoother play, better shock absorption and excellent ball performance.

Should the Radcliffe funding bid be successful it will be managed by the Radcliffe Football Foundation, recently established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The trust is mainly formed from members of Radcliffe Junior FC and Radcliffe FC. A Project Steering Group with representation from partners, user groups and the local community will support the operation of the 3G pitch and help shape the programme of use.

Two more successful 3G facilities have already been established in other areas of the borough; one at Goshen Playing Fields and the other at Elton High school.