Ambitious Fylde in new pitches hope

An outline drawing showing the five-a-side pitches in the top right hand corner next to the hockey pitch

The group behind the Mill Farm Sports complex, set to be the home of AFC Fylde, have said they want to create 11 floodlit all weather football pitches on the site for community use.

They are also looking to build an all weather hockey pitch complete with a spectator stand big enough for 256 fans and temporary changing facilities.

The move comes as work is progressing on the 6,000 capacity stadium for the National League North club and the sports village, due for completion next summer, will include a 290-capacity sports bar, an 80-seat restaurant with roof terrace, a 40-seat café; and conference and event facilities.

How AFC Fyldes stadium will look once it is completed

The new plans for the site off Fleetwood Road, Wesham, are an alteration of outline planning permission which has already been granted for eight all weather floodlit pitches on the site.

The floodlighting would be made up of six, 15m tall masts with multiple lights for the main pitch and 48,8m high light posts for the five a side pitches. The hockey pitch would be lit by eight, 15m tall masts. The opening hours would be 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 6pm on Sundays.

Chairman David Haythornthwaite said: “This is great news as it effectively means we are 12 months ahead of schedule. The new facilities will be a huge boost to the local community and provide the most up to date playing surfaces available.

“It’s all about building the Fylde brand and reaching out to all parts of the community. We are creating a centre of sporting excellence that will hopefully have something for everyone.”

The application states: “It is anticipated that the all-weather sports pitches will be brought into use in 2016, at which point the facilities will be available to AFC Fylde and its associated junior teams, as well as the wider community.

“The increase in football pitch numbers is a response to the demand for five-a-side provision and the need to ensure that, where possible, the scheme can remain viable and self-financing.

“In practical terms the overall extent of artificial pitch is not materially different from that envisaged in the outline planning application.”