PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have approved a retrospective application for an all-weather sports pitch on a former bowling green at Culcheth Sports Club – formalising the existing situation.
The bowling green at the club in Charnock Road had not been used for about four years and the green was no longer fit for purpose.
Now the Sunflower Community Café and Connections Constituted Group have obtained permission for the change of use.
A total of 42 letters and a petition were received by the borough council supporting the scheme – together with two letters of objection relating to possible noise and floodlight concerns.
The 3G all-weather pitch includes fencing, seating, car parking and a children’s play area.
Planners were told the Sunflower Community Café provided an income for Culcheth Sports Club and a service to the community – including the Ukrainian Family Hub, which catered for Ukrainian people from all over the borough.
The site was now operated by a community hub used by local people and by refugees from the war in Ukraine. The proposals sought to retain the 3G all-weather sports pitch, an area of, hardstanding, fencing, associated seating area and children’s play area, to enable the community hub to continue operating. Without this scheme, the community hub would be forced to close.
The site employed 10 members of staff and many more volunteers.
Officers said the proposal demonstrates that the community benefits resulting from the existing facilities outweighed the loss of the former bowling green, which was no longer in use by the local community and was no longer needed.
