A community is celebrating after plans to build a £700,000 sports pavilion which will make a ’massive difference’ to residents were passed.
South Holland District Council has given the green light to replace the ramshackle facilities at Sutton Bridge’s Memorial Park - which aims to not only safeguard the future of the village’s football club but also encourage more locals to take up physical activity.
Campaigners’ hopes to replace the current pavilion - which is more than 70 years old - took a giant step closer to fruition after outline planning permission was granted.
“It’s fantastic. Now we can move ahead with applying for funding,” said Sutton Bridge Parish Council chair Mary Middleton.
“So far everything has been very positive. It’s been been rewarding doing this because the feedback is good.
“Sutton Bridge is right at the bottom of the pile as far as deprived areas go so it’s nice to have something positive being done for the young people.”
Sutton Bridge United chairman David Earth says a new pavilion would be a boost for the area.
“It will make a massive difference to the football club and I’m sure it will enable us to attract more players, and probably guarantee the club progressing,” he said.
“It will also be great for the community as it’s not just going to be a football pavilion, it’s a general sports pavilion.
“It will help the community in general. Hopefully we can get more people off the couches and into sport.”
The football club currently operates a senior and youth team, but there are plans to expand.
“The pavilion will enhance our chances of doing that,” added Mr Earth.
“We look like attracting more people.”
The current pavilion, built for the Queen’s Coronation, is no longer fit for purpose and campaigners have been pushing for it to be replaced for a number of years.
“The new sports centre and pavilion, will encourage away teams to play against the present club raising the standard and encouraging greater participation in the formation of new teams (youth, girls/women and elderly - walking football), but being multi-use (the facilities are large enough for all sports), other sports will be encouraged to use the building,” explained the design and access statement presented by applicant Sutton Bridge Parish Council, who own the land.
“It will provide space for indoor sports or training in inclement weather and be available for other community activities.
“The present 70-year-old football pavilion in the Memorial Park in the centre of Sutton Bridge, has reached the end of its life as a football pavilion, including no longer meeting current Sport England Standards.”
The design and access statement added the new-build ‘will complement the nearby Curlew Community Centre, improving the overall appearance of the area of the centre of the village’.