Club safe as pitch plan agreed

Developers Norbury Land Developments submitted plans to transform the land between Alport Road and Black Park Road, in Whitchurch, which is close to Yokings Park used by Whitchurch Alport Football Club.

The football club had been looking to expand its site and had been pushing for a full-sized pitch to be included in the plans, rather than a proposed junior pitch.

A decision on the scheme was delayed twice for further discussions to take place over the new pitch and to tackle residents' concerns about congestion and parking problems.

But at North Shropshire District Council's development control committee meeting yesterday, councillors voted in favour of the scheme, which now has outline permission.

The planning application caused outrage among some residents who claimed site traffic and congestion would "impose a living hell" on them. But a series of stringent conditions have been put in place to try and allay residents' concerns.

At the meeting, Whitchurch resident Cecilia Hooper said people were not against the development but there were serious issues over a proposed link road and access.

Whitchurch Alport FC had said the town was struggling to support the 14 teams fighting for facilities every week, with some regularly having to travel to Prees to play matches.

Today, club secretary Barbara Blackhurst said they were delighted with the news the full-sized pitch was included in the plans.