PLANS to transform an 'unplayable' football pitch have been delayed – because the proposed games area needs to move four metres from its original position.

Lostock Gralam Parish Council had been granted planning permission in April 2020 to build a multi-use games area (MUGA) on the playing field at the village's community centre in Stubbs Lane.

But after concerns were raised that the proposed site was too close to tree roots, the MUGA site will now have to be moved to avoid damaging them.

Now the parish council have submitted amended plans to Cheshire West and Chester Council, seeking approval for the new site for the games area.

Lostock Gralam Community Centre, off Stubbs Lane (Google)

Lostock Gralam Community Centre, off Stubbs Lane (Google)

In a planning statement submitted to CWAC, a parish council spokeswoman said: "Lostock Gralam Parish Council was granted planning permission on April 8, 2020, to build a MUGA.

"This came with two planning conditions to discharge – a suitable drainage plan and a tree root protection fence plan.

"CWAC's planning officer gained approval from United Utilities for the drainage plan and this condition appeared ready to discharge.

"However the tree root protection fence plan meant the MUGA would have to move by approximately four metres to the left to avoid tree root damage."

The parish council made the decision to build a MUGA at the site as permanent solution to the problem of keeping the popular football pitch maintained.

The planning statement added: "The grass football pitch has become difficult to maintain due to the high volume of usage.

"It has been in an unplayable condition for more than three years now.

"The parish council has in the past re-turfed the goalmouths which has proved to be a temporary fix to a larger problem."

To view and comment on these plans, use reference 21/01479/FUL when searching the council's online planning portal.