First glimpse into Moss Farm’s future

10:00am Thursday 29th November 2007

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A COMPLETE overhaul of Moss Farm could cost more than £10million.

The Guardian has seen a draft masterplan, presented to borough councillors for the first time on Monday, that details what the Northwich sports complex could look like in the future.

One option is a groundshare between Northwich Rugby Club and Witton Albion.

"We're still at a very early stage," said Chris Bottomley, head of leisure for Vale Royal Borough Council, which co-manages the site with Cheshire County Council.

"Now that there is a first vision for Moss Farm we can show those drawings to as many people as possible and their comments will then be used to refine the plan.

"Some elements may come out, some may change or indeed some new elements may be included."

He described the potential link up between the rugby and football clubs as a stadium-type' development capable of holding a crowd of around 3,000 people.

There would be space for 150 cars.

The two clubs will be asked for their views as part of a consultation to be launched in the coming weeks. They have not yet held any talks about getting together.

Members of Hartford Moss Farm Joint Managment Committee were the first to see the plans this week.

"I think the word stadium would send out the wrong signal," said chairman Clr Albert Bailey.

"I'm worried what image that would conjure up in people's minds.

"I'd be happier to describe it as and upgrade of the enclosed pitch'."

Consultants CB3 Design have sketched an alternative plan that does not envisage a move to Moss Farm for Witton. Their vision includes a new purpose built clubhouse and improvements to the rugby club's first team pitch.

Councillors must decide whether they support the principle of a stadium, or whatever they wish to call it, on the complex.

"We would have to consider the effect on neighbouring properties, particularly with regard to traffic," added Clr Bailey.

It is not the first time the council has looked at what to do with the ageing site, but past reviews have not met with their expectation.

Northwich Victoria had hoped to build their new ground there at the turn of the century but residents blocked the move.

"This process seems slow and cumbersome to some people," said Mr Bottomley.

"However it is important that the piecemeal development that has happened at Moss Farm over the years is not continued and we have a vision for the development of the site that most people can sign up to."

He admitted that neither council had enough cash to pay for the redevelopment. Last month the Guardian revealed that Vale Royal had earmarked £500,000 to be spent there over the next four years. That could be as early as 2009, subject to the approval of the Capital Strategy for 2007-2011.

But that could be some way off yet.

The county council would be expected to match that figure, but the rest of the money would need to come from external sources.

Mr Bottomley has been asked to report back to the management committe in February.