Bollington to take control of leisure and sports

Bollington is set to be handed control of two key open space amenities for sports and leisure use thanks to a land transfer arrangement with Cheshire East Council.

Atax Field in Bollington is the latest Cheshire East-owned asset about to be transferred to the local community, together with additional land next to Bollington Leisure Centre.

The two sites will be transferred to the town council by Cheshire East and a legal process to do this now under way.

One potential beneficiary will be the Bollington Cross Youth Project, which has a section 106 allocation of money to invest in a multi-use games area and football pitches.

It is intended that the land should be managed by Bollington Health and Leisure, a not-for- profit company with charitable status, which will enable the organisation to apply for a variety of grant funding.

The disposal of the land falls within the Council’s strategy for transfer and devolution to town and parish councils.

Councillor Don Stockton, Cabinet member for regeneration and assets, said: “We are delighted to be able to transfer this open space to the town, knowing that it will become a valuable asset to the community and will be of great benefit to local groups and organisations.

“A sum of £100,000 has been allocated to the Bollington Cross Project, using Section 106 money accrued as a result of the Kay Metzler housing development in the town.

“By transferring this land, a number of local organisations will have the opportunity to apply for grant funding to transform this site into a useful amenity.

“We are a ‘residents first’ council and this action by Cheshire East meets a number of our core values, including promoting economic wellbeing and social and environmental wellbeing.

“We understand the intention is to develop football and sports provision and that there is no intention by Bollington Town Council to use the land for any other purpose other than sports and leisure.”

The proposed transfer of the open space will be advertised publicly.