Decison day for sports (From Wiltshire Times)

Decison day for sports

2:00pm Sunday 8th July 2012 in Latest News By Mike Wilkinson, Senior Reporter

DERELICT land in Trowbridge could make way for modern sports changing facilities, if councillors approve plans.

The site of the former Innox Hall community centre, in Innox Road, has been overgrown for more than two decades.

Now grants from Trowbridge Town Council, the Football Association and Section 106 money from nearby developments mean an £80,000 changing facility and car park for adjacent Stallards Park could be provided.

The scheme already has planning permission, but Wiltshire Council must agree to designate the land for community use.

However, it is exploring other options at the same time, including selling it for housing.

Councillor Jeff Osborn, for the Trowbridge Grove ward, is spearheading a campaign to get the changing facilities by placing a motion before a meeting of the full council next Tuesday.

He said: “The people who come to play football at Stallards Park have nowhere to change. Teams and referees are having to change in their cars.

“The council were about to go ahead with the plans and then I got a call to say that they might want to sell it for houses. The old Innox Hall was always being used by the community and we must keep it for that use.”

The hall was once a hub for many groups to hold weekly meetings, but it was demolished after concrete cancer was found.

The proposal is for changing facilities for two teams and a referee, which is the modern standard preferred by the FA.

Wiltshire Council corporate director Carlton Brand said funds for the construction had been identified, but it was necessary for a report to be given to the capital assets committee.

He said: “This report will present the various alternative uses to which the site might theoretically be put, although the responsible cabinet members have indicated that their preference is that the delivery of the changing facilities be approved.

“It is not anticipated that the necessity of submitting the report will delay the provision of the changing facilities.”