Purpose

To authorise the Council to commission the design and procurement for pitch improvement works at New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre as part of the Halewood Town Centre Improvement Masterplan Local Regeneration Fund works, as well as the redesignation of this area as Playing Fields. This work will form a part of the wider Halewood Town Centre Improvement Masterplan funded by the Levelling Up Fund.

Decision

That the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development:

a)    Agree to the utilisation of £0.250m for improvement works for the playing fields at New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre from the Halewood Local Regeneration (formally known as ‘Levelling Up’) Fund programme, subject to planning approval being received for the Halewood Local Regeneration Fund development programme at Grace Park;

b)    Approve the redesignation of the grass area at New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre as a Playing Field;

c)    Agree to proceed in the development of New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre’s playing field improvement works; and

d)    Approve the inclusion of the New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre Playing Field Improvement Work within the 2026/27 Environmental Sustainability Service Capital Programme.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option of doing nothing was rejected, as outdoor sport will not be possible at the site without investment in the playing fields to ensure improved drainage and turf quality.

In addition, Sport England, as a Statutory Consultee, has requested that additional grass pitch provision is created within the Halewood South ward to mitigate the quantitative loss of a grass pitch at Greengates playing fields should the all-weather pitch obtain planning permission as part of the Grace Park Improvement Project through the Halewood Town Centre Improvement Masterplan funded by the Local Regeneration Fund. Creation of a playing pitch at New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre would provide a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the playing pitch stock in Halewood and satisfy Sport England’s requirements under their Playing Fields Policy and Guidance, which is consistent with paragraph 104 of the National Planning Policy Framework.