A football club has struck up a deal with the council to get the lease on a piece of land in exchange for encouraging children to take up sport.

Sutton United FC (SUFC) has been given the go-ahead to lease part of the Collingwood Recreation Ground for free as long as it uses it to encourage children to get healthy and for the benefit of the community.

The Gander Green Lane-based club already uses the Collingwood Recreation Ground site for junior team matches at weekend but now the team must bring greater benefits to people living nearby.

If it fails Sutton Council will revoke the lease.

SUFC is now planning to apply for a grant so it can build a new pavilion on the site that would help more people use it.

Dave Farebrother, chairman of the board of directors at SUFC, said: "It’s great news for the local area that the long-term agreement for the use of Collingwood Recreation Ground has been agreed.

"The agreement is a pre-requisite if we are to receive grants to support the construction of a community pavilion inside the boundaries of the Borough Sports Ground.

"The next stage is to sign a lease and submit our planning application.  We look forward to working with Sutton Council and the local community to increase sporting provision in the borough.

"We are grateful to the local residents and Friends of Collingwood Rec for their ongoing support of our proposals."

Coun Jill Whitehead, chairwoman of the council's environment and neighbourhoods committee, added: "With our increased responsibilities for public health, we’re very keen to support local clubs and work with them to find more ways for people to take part in sport.

"This agreement will not only provide sports facilities for a wider group of users but it will secure jobs and improve the neighbourhood."

 

 

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