A BUMPER grant of nearly £50,000 has been awarded to the Studley towards exploratory works for the development of the village’s sports and social club.
Late last year Studley Parish Council unveiled ambitious plans to create a £10million centre of sporting excellence for all the community at the site off Eldorado Close.
And at last Tuesday’s Parish Council meeting Councillor Paul Beaman, who sits on the village’s Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, revealed they had been awarded £49,915 to further the project.
“This really is good news for the village,” he said.
“It will give us some money to cover legal expenses, new leases and the surrounding topography and means we can take it forward to the Sports Council and District Council.
“A further benefit is that this money will not have to come out of any benefit the project generates and means that money will be coming back into the village.”
The scheme, billed as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity for Studley’ would see the transformation of Studley Sports & Social Club with the construction of a new clubhouse, two new football pitches, new tennis courts and bowling green.
It would all be paid for by the construction of 49 new homes built on nearby land deemed unsuitable for sport.
These would be of a mix of homes required by residents that would not only help meet the village’s housing obligations but also help protect the Green Belt.
The scheme, has which already received widespread praise, would also see improvements to the facilities at the Brickyard Lane pitches.
“We now have to get in touch with Stratford District Council to get this plan moving forward,” said Coun Beaman.
Designed by local architect, Gary Phillips, in a best case scenario the development, which would be phased to maintain sporting facilities, could become a reality in five years.
However, as part of the Studley Neighbourhood Plan, it must first receive the backing of local residents.
At a presentation of the project last year club chair Neville Mason said: “This is the best thing that could have ever happened to us; it’s going to improve the sporting facilities here and give us a fantastic venue which will be an asset for all of Studley, but it can only happen if the village agrees.
“With Sport England and the village backing us we can make this a reality.”
