Residents are being invited to have their say on plans to build eight new sports pitches on fields near Askham Bar.
The drop-in consultation event, which will take place between 4pm and 7pm at Askham Bar Park & Ride on Wednesday 24 January, will offer the chance for people to feedback on plans to build three 11-a-side pitches, two 9-a-side pitches and three 7-a-side pitches with relevant on-site facilities.
The event comes after the council’s executive in November agreed that officers should continue to work on plans for sports facilities on the land near the Ashfield estate.
Sensibly the Council has now stopped trying to link the new provision with the loss of football pitches at Lowfields
This will help to provide much needed community sports facilities to the south and west area of York.
The council’s public heath team are also working with Bishopthorpe White Rose FC to prepare a club development plan that will help them thrive in the future and access grant funding.
The cost of these works will be funded from the Football Foundation, Bishopthorpe White Rose football club, local sponsorship and small grants, with the remainder from the capital programme agreed by City of York Council.
Cllr Ann Reid, interim executive member for leisure, culture and tourism said: “The playing fields at the Ashfield estate will allow residents to have access to great facilities to improve their health and wellbeing and we are really happy to be supporting Bishopthorpe White Rose Football Club who are growing significantly.
“As a council we want our residents to be active across the city and to help them improve their wellbeing, which is why facilities such as these are so important. We want to hear the views of the local community and all are invited to attend.”
Josh Wong, Club Secretary, Bishopthorpe White Rose JFC said: “The club has grown significantly and we struggle to accommodate training and matches for the 400 boys and girls who enjoy football with us. We need to use five separate fields, some of which do not have basic facilities such as toilets and changing rooms. The new development will provide a home for our club, an indoor space for the community and enable all our players and other clubs in York and beyond to enjoy football on good quality pitches.”
Those unable to attend the event can email their views to AskhamBarEngagement@york.gov.uk or pop in to an exhibit at Bishopthorpe Explore library learning centre from 17 to 24 January.