Sports Activities to Return to Ross Sports Ground

Sporting Activities To Return To Ross Sports Ground

North East Lincolnshire Council will shortly begin work on a scheme to return sporting activity to the Ross Sports Ground, Grimsby following a period of 11 years where the site has not used.

In 1993, following some 45 years of sporting activity on the Ross Sports Ground site, the site was acquired by Hanson Properties Limited (Hanson) and closed as private facility for sporting use.

The proposals for the change of use of the site were met with considerable local resistance and led to a public inquiry held on the 1st February 1996. Following the outcome of the public inquiry a Planning Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act, it was agreed that the northern part of the site be allocated for residential development, with the southern area being donated to North East Lincolnshire Council for sporting use along with a commuted sum towards the cost of redeveloping the football pitch and cricket wicket on the site into a playable condition.

The proposals to reinstate formal sport on this site have been progressing over a number of years in partnership with the local sporting community. Through this consultation, the John Pettit Grimsby and District Cricket League have taken the lead on behalf of the local sporting community. These discussions and development proposals have reached the stage where a tender document to carry out the pitch improvements has been drawn up. It is envisaged that cricket will once again be played on the site in the summer of 2005.

The long term final aim for the site is to provide a clubhouse. The local authority, through the support of the Sports Development Unit, will work with the League to investigate sources of external funding to complete this phase of the project.

Councillor Geoff Lowis, portfolio holder of Regeneration and Community Learning said: "This project together with the developments at the Bradley Road Recreation Ground demonstrates the Councils commitment to the provision of outdoor sport and recreation pitches."

For further information please contact Nick Hanson, North East Lincolnshire Council's Sports Development Team Leader on 01472 323388.

12 March 2004

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