Waterlogged Burnley playing fields receive drainage funding boost

Burnley Council have negotiated an £85,000 Section 106 contribution for improvements to Lockyer Avenue football pitches from developer McDermott Homes as part of the nearby Kiddrow Lane housing development.

The funds will be used to install new drainage for all football pitches after a number of matches had to be postponed during the wet winter months due to waterlogging.

The money will also be spent on improving the overall quality of the pitch and will help increase playability for all pitches on the site.

The council manages the playing grounds on a long lease from Lancashire County Council and they are currently used by AFC Wolves Junior Football Club for training and matches throughout the year.

Burnley Council have commissioned the Sports Turf Research Institute to prepare detailed drainage plans for the pitch improvement program which it is hoped will be carried out this summer.

The pitches will not be available until the 2023/24 season to allow around nine months for the improvements to be incorporated and ready for the game.

The board is working with the club to find alternative venues they can use for the 2022/23 season.

Com. Margaret Lishman, Council Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “This work will improve the quality of the playgrounds so they can be enjoyed all year round and provide a much needed community facility which will help improve the health and fitness of young people in our borough.