AFC Telford five-a-side pitches decision is due

Plans to build a five-a-side football centre at AFC Telford's New Bucks Head ground take a step nearer realisation next week.

The £240,000 plan, which would see four new pitches built, goes before Telford & Wrekin Council's ruling cabinet on Tuesday.

A report ahead of the meeting says the new centre, if approved, would open in less than a year and form part of the council's Wrekin Sports and Learning Community.

The new pitches would be built near the entrance to AFC Telford's car park off Haybridge Road.

Schools across the borough would receive a number of benefits from the development, including free use of the new pitches.

The facility would also be available for community use at other times while AFC Telford United would be responsible for running the centre once completed.

Telford & Wrekin Council helped assure the long-term future of The Bucks earlier this year by agreeing to lease the ground for the next 150 years for a peppercorn rent.

Councillor Steve Bentley, the council's cabinet member for active lifestyles, said: "This will be the first facility of its kind in the borough and one that I am sure the community and our schools will very much welcome.

"It's another significant investment to improve the facilities that we have in the borough."