Moss Farm must be secure before revamp is started

10:30am Monday 21st April 2008

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COUNCIL chiefs have been told to improve the security of a sports complex before spending millions on it.

Neighbours of the Moss Farm complex in Northwich saw a masterplan for the site last week, but warned co-owners Vale Royal Borough Council that their dream could be wrecked by vandals.

"That is top of the list of priorities," said leisure boss Chris Bottomley.

"We wanted to see what local residents thought of the initial proposals to spruce up Moss Farm and that was their answer."

Those present at an open meeting on Wednesday preferred to talk about security, not sport.

Improving the site's infrastructure, closing off access points apart from the main entrance and demolishing the covered stand next to the enclosed pitch were the top three must-do's on their wish list.

Around 40 people saw a sketch of what the complex could look like in the future.

Devised by consultants CB3 Design at a cost of £6,000 to the taxpayer, it has taken 10 months to put the plan together.

Site manager Paula Jamieson said that stopping vandalism was one of the biggest challenges.

She was asked more than once how she could stop yobs destroying any new facilities.

"We do work closely with the police and our own community safety wardens to combat the problem," she said.

"But it's not easy."

Mr Bottomley admitted that young people had not yet been consulted on what would attract them to use the facilities at Moss Farm.

"It's a gap in our work to date," he said.

The council launched a consultation in February about the future of the complex and plans have been on display in the swimming pool reception since then.

An initial estimate of what it would cost for an overhaul came to more than £10million but at this stage the council has not committed any cash to spend on capital projects there, meaning the bulk of funding would have to come from external sources.