A “LONG overdue” sports and community hub is being planned for a Worcestershire village.
Malvern Hills District Council has put forward plans for a community centre and football pitches off the A4103 in Leigh Sinton.
If given the go-ahead, the 5.5-hectare site would include new facilities for Leigh and Bransford Badgers Football Club (L&BBFC).
FIELDS: Land earmarked for a new community centre and football pitches in Leigh Sinton (Image: Google Maps)
The plans feature three natural grass football pitches, a multi-use games area, outdoor gym, and a community centre.
The site would also include car parking and public open space, and would be serviced by a new access road.
Councillor Sarah Rouse said: “This will be a great community asset and the additional parking will be hugely beneficial to remove some of the school traffic from Hoopers Close and surrounding roads.”
The land, to the north of a 52-home development by Lionscourt Homes, is opposite Leigh and Bransford Primary School and was transferred to the council through a Section 106 agreement.
The project aims to address a shortage of adult and youth football pitches in the area.
It also intends to offer a hub for L&BBFC, which currently plays across multiple sites due to lack of facilities.
SCHOOL: The proposed community centre site is opposite Leigh and Bransford Primary School (Image: Google Maps)
Villager Jamie Hudson Small supported many elements of the proposal.
He said: “I am in support of the hard-standing courts and football pitches. I would love to see open access to tennis/netball/basketball courts for the local community.
READ MORE: First residents move into 52-home estate near Malvern Hills
“Car parking would be welcome as well as a park for children. A small covered meeting space would also be useful.
“I do not support a community centre when our local village hall could have money invested to upgrade facilities and increase the use of an already purpose-built community space.”
Neighbour Donna Phillips said the development would be “a long overdue community facility, providing an accessible space for groups to meet, exercise and socialise with parking spaces and a safe route to walk to the village primary school”.
Decision due on controversial nursery for village
House plan sparks concerns for oak tree and children walking to school
Plan for 55 homes ‘too large’ for village say neighbours
According to planning documents, the football pitches and wider site would form the fourth multi-pitch facility in the district.
The site would also support the Football Foundation’s goal of delivering 12,000 quality pitches across England by 2028.
It aligns with the foundation’s Home Advantage Programme.
