Losing sports pitch would be 'madness', says Winsford Labour councillor

Winsford Labour councillors say the astro turf facility on the old Woodford Lodge High School site must remain as it is as part of any future development on the site.

Council housing, which is supported by all Cheshire West and Chester councillors, is also set for the site – though Winsford Labour members say the facility must not be forced to move as part of any developments.

Clr David Armstrong, from Winsford Swanlow and Dene, said: "The Council spent tens of thousands of pounds on providing this excellent facility not too long ago and it is well used by local young people.”

Last November, The Winsford Community Action Project (WINCAP) was forced to close its community centre.

The Edge closed its doors from November 30, and the Labour councillors are keen to avoid losing another key facility used by the town’s youth.

“The loss of the Edge facility was a big blow for this area and it would be madness to lose the Astro Turf facility as well," Clr Armstrong said.

Verdin Ward councillor, Clr Don Beckett added: "This facility is mainly used by young people from local housing estates and it would be madness to move it away from this area".

Fellow Verdin Ward councillor, Clr Tommy Blackmore said it is ‘vital’ the Astro Turf is integral to any development or otherwise be excluded from the sale.

“They’re trying to build homes but you need more than homes in a community. You need leisure facilities and community centres,” he said.

One of the locations the council has proposed moving the facility to is Knights Grange golf course, which is more than two miles from the current site.

“The council said they will only move it if there’s a suitable spot to relocate it, but where they have proposed is too far, we need it in the top end of town,” Clr Blackmore said.

“The places they’ve proposed are too far. A lot of these kids can’t drive so they’d struggle to get there.

“Moving them it to one these mooted destinations would just be stupid.”