Funding secured for new Biddulph Moor games area

Published on 8 March 2023

Funding for a new multi-use games area at Hot Lane in Biddulph Moor has been secured - meaning residents in one of the District's more rural communities will have improved access to informal sport and recreation facilities on their doorstep.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has provided £35,000 from its Rural Sports Villages Capital Fund for the project with the remainder coming from the Premier League, the FA and the Government's Football Foundation who have agreed funding of up to £52,000.

The new facility will feature a tarmacked area, surrounded by a perimeter fence, with goals and net hoops to enable the community use it for activities such as  recreational football, basketball and netball as well as exercise and general fun and games.

Councillor Mark Deaville, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for sport and leisure, said: "This is terrific news for people in Biddulph Moor who can now look forward to  taking part in games and physical activity and having fun with friends at a new facility in the heart of their community.

"This comes just a few years after the playground facilities at Hot Lane site were upgraded and fully refurbished which demonstrates the Council's commitment to providing local people with quality places to spend time being active outdoors - something that's so important to our health and wellbeing.

"I'm delighted that the £35,000 the Council is providing, together with this money from the Football Foundation, means that the funding package for this new MUGA is now in place.

"It's something we've worked hard to secure and I'd like to thank the Football Foundation for their significant contribution and everyone who supports the provision of this amenity in Biddulph Moor. We can now get on with delivering a quality facility that will make a real difference to the local community - and we can't wait to get started."

The plans will also see improvements to the current entrance to the site following comments made by site users. This will include a tarmacked path leading from the entrance to the new MUGA area providing easy, level access for everyone.

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation said: "This grant award for a new multi-use games area at Hot Lane is great news for the local community.

"The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners - the Premier League, the FA and Government - to support facility development projects like this across the country over the next decade to transform our grassroots game and unlock the power of pitches."

The project has been supported by local District Council ward members, Staffordshire Police, Biddulph Town Council and Moor First School who are looking forward to making full use of the facilities.