A NEW football pitch in Northwich will allow more people – particularly children and girls – to play all year round, according to officials at Cheshire FA.

They say more than 250 teams could benefit when a 3G (third generation) artificial surface, costing £600,000, is laid at Moss Farm outdoor sports complex.

Work, which started this month, is expected to finish in mid-October.

“Hundreds of amateur footballers will have access to what will be a high-quality sports facility,” said Simon Gerrard, chief executive of the county governing body.

“Grass-roots clubs, schools and ourselves at Cheshire FA will be able to further enhance their football development programmes once this fantastic project is complete.”

The pitch, which will have floodlights alongside, is behind Cheshire FA’s headquarters next to the former swimming pool building.

A grant from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund, worth £270,000, has helped cover the cost.

Landowners Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC), Cheshire FA and Thor Specialities (UK) have between them paid the rest of the bill.

The chemicals manufacturer agreed to pay compensation to the council two years ago in return for redeveloping a nine-acre site in Wincham upon which Northwich Victoria’s former home ground was situated.

The Victoria Stadium was dismantled afterwards.

“As a user at Moss Farm for more than 30 years, I welcome this investment,” said Clr Sam Naylor, ward member for Winnington and Castle.

“There have been some concerns in the local community about the future of the site since the pool building was decommissioned earlier this year.

“I can reassure residents that the council regards Moss Farm as a key sports and leisure site and is committed to its ongoing development.

“The new pitch is just the start.”

In 2013 the council announced a £1m scheme to build two new 3G pitches; one at Moss Farm and the other at Hartford Campus.

The compensation sum from Thor, totalling £530,000, was set aside to cover half of the cost.

Northwich Rugby Club, who are based at Moss Farm, had originally planned to use the new facility for training, sharing it with footballers.

But members later changed their mind, saying the pitch would be too expensive for them to hire.

“I’d like to thank all of the partners who have worked together to deliver this facility,” said Clr Louise Gittins, cabinet member for culture, leisure and wellbeing.

“I’m sure it will be popular with clubs and community groups.

“It will complement the new indoor sports provision at Memorial Court [in Northwich town centre], providing more opportunities for people of all ages to be active and boost community involvement in sport.”

The council gave its approval to the proposal for a 3G pitch at Hartford Campus, which will be subject to a shared-use agreement between Hartford Church of England High School and Mid-Cheshire College, in February.

The planning permission has since been adjusted to allow the floodlights there to stay switched on until 10pm, between August 1 and May 31, for a two-year trial period.

The playing surface will be laid between the two buildings that make up the high school.