The erection of an information sign on the corner of their new ground has taken place, giving residents and visitors to The Great Harwood Show the opportunity to see the new layout.
Great Harwood Rovers have been trying to realise their dream for over 15 years but unfortunately a number of possible opportunities failed to materialise. The closest they came was in 2011 when planning permission was granted for approximately 35 houses on the Old Show Ground including the former Monroes site. This included section 106 money that was to be matched funded by the Football Assosiation and a grant from Hyndburn Borough Council with a 25 year lease for the Lyndon playing fields.
However due to difficulties encountered by the land owners the houses were never built and the Football Assosiation subsequently pulled the matched funding. This left Great Harwood Rovers with no real prospect of getting the facilities the children of the town deserve.
Currently children have to get changed in cars or in a metal cargo container. It is only right that the club's volunteers, coaches, referees and players want proper changing rooms and proper parking to eliminate congestion on Harwood Lane on match days.
Fortunately due to partnership working Hyndburn Borough Council, The Great Harwood Agricultural Society and Riley’s Developments alongside Great Harwood Rovers F.C this is now becoming a reality. Work is due to start on the new playing surfaces a few hundred yards away shortly after this year's Great Harwood Show.
These pitches will be made to Sport England specification with modern drainage installed eliminating and realistic chance of flooding. A 64-space car park will be built to ensure that congestion on Harwood Lane stops, floodlights will be installed and finally the erection of changing facilities. The Great Harwood Labour Councillors are proud to have played our part in making this dream come true
Cllr Noordad Aziz for Netherton ward in Great Harwood said, “I am delighted that work is due to start on the playing surfaces and that children have quality safe sports facilities and that we have protected the town's green belt in the process. It was important to do that. We have seen what happens in the Ribble Valley when central government get involved in local planning decisions and this why we supported Lyndon playing fields being developed.”
Cllr Gareth Molineux said, "There is currently literature being pushed through residents' doors by the Conservative party candidates Patrick McGinley and Liz McGinley suggesting that if elected they will put a stop to the development but the consequences of doing this will be dire for Great Harwood. Without a shadow of a doubt if this happens green belt will be developed on and our countryside will very quickly erode."
He added, "The leaflets also make reference to “predators” and road safety issues. These types of comments really concern me and I am not sure what he is suggesting. The area will be secure (with a designated public open space) and will be floodlit, unlike the current facilities which are dark and completely open to public access and within a few metres of one of the busiest roads in the town.
I think that it is important to deliver facts not speculation I also feel that has elected members we also have a duty to take into account the long term vision for the town.
"If Patrick McGinley and Liz McGinley don’t want to build houses then I suggest they lobby their Prime Minister who relaxed planning laws to allow developers to build in green belt if local Councils refused to allow them to build within the urban boundary."
The Labour Councilors wish Great Harwood Rovers the best of luck for the future.
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