South Yorkshire could receive a state-of-the-art football centre with the capacity to host three teams at once.
An application to build the Doncaster City Elite Training Centre on Martin Grange Farm in Bawtry was first submitted on January 7.
Plans have been submitted for a £55m football site in Doncaster[/caption]
Former football agent Willie McKay is the man behind the application for a centre he believes would be ‘the only one of its kind in Britain’.
Should the plans for the £55million project be given the green light, the site would boast five full-size pitches, one of which would have a 499-capacity stand.
Other facilities at the centre would include an indoor field, specific training areas for goalkeepers, padel courts as well as lodging facilities for up to three teams.
Several professional teams have thrown their support behind the project.
The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, LA Galaxy, Strasbourg, Newcastle and Rangers are just six of those who expressed interest in using the facility, should it be built.
MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme Lee Pitcher as well as former MP Nick Fletcher also backed the project.
“As the local MP and a football fan, I am hugely excited by such an ambitious project for our area,” Pitcher said.
“Making Bawtry the new home for football coaching in the north would be a fantastic opportunity for our constituency, and a new state-of-the-art facility like this would not just be a boost to our local economy, but would mean our future footballing greats may well cut their teeth in Doncaster!”
Fletcher, who provided a letter of support in September 2022, said: “An exciting state of the art facility such as this has the potential to boost our local economy by providing jobs.
“It will lead to further inward investment in the area and would be a real feather in the cap for the City of Doncaster.”
As part of the submission, it was estimated 244 jobs would be created throughout the construction period.
“In addition to the economic benefits, the proposed development will aim to satisfy a wider market for high-quality training facilities in England for teams travelling to away games during the professional season and for other competitive matches (e.g. FA Cup and Champions League games),” a statement submitted with the application said.
“This need is evidenced by positive responses received from UK and international football clubs, who expressed interest in using the development for training in and out of season with the different squads.
“The proposed development will also deliver multiple community benefits, including employment opportunities for local residents during construction and operation.”
Despite the economic benefits, not everyone is on board with the proposal put forward to the City of Doncaster Council.
A rise in traffic was cited as a key issue while Urban Design, who advise Doncaster Council on planning applications, claimed the ‘density’ of the site conjures major concern.
KSS Design GroupThe site is expected to generate nearly 250 jobs during the construction phase[/caption]
It is unclear when a final decision on the plans is expected to be made by the Doncaster Council.
However, McKay anticipates the site would be fully operational within 12 months of being given the green light from the council to proceed with construction.
