'State-of-the-art' football hub plans submitted

If approved, the "state-of-the-art" football training centre would be located in Bawtry

Plans for a multimillion-pound "state-of-the-art" football training centre in South Yorkshire have been submitted.

According to the application, the Doncaster City Elite Training Centre in Bawtry would provide training facilities and accommodation for professional football teams.

The man behind the proposals, former football agent Willie McKay, said the £55m centre would host elite sides and be "the only one of its kind in Britain", while local teams and groups could also use the facilities at quieter times.

However, concerns have been expressed over developing on green belt land and the training centre's proximity to existing homes.

'Elite hub'

If approved, the site on land near Martin Grange Farm would consist of five full-size pitches, including a show pitch with a 499-capacity stand.

It would also feature an indoor pitch and goalkeeper training areas, as well as indoor facilities - including padel courts - and accommodation for up to three teams at any one time.

In his application, Mr McKay said the "unique" facility would be fit to host the biggest clubs in the world playing in the north of England or on a training camp.

According to a planning document, the site would be split into an "elite training hub" with five-star facilities and a "professional hub" for other teams.

The "elite training hub" could host some of the world's biggest clubs, according to the planning application

The plans have been endorsed by several professional football clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Doncaster Chamber of Commerce and the MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, Lee Pitcher, who described them as a "fantastic opportunity for our constituency".

Mr McKay said he would be "disappointed" if the proposals were not approved, and claimed £1m had already been spent on them.

However, numerous objections to the plans have also been submitted to the council.

Urban Design, a department at Doncaster Council which advises on planning applications, said the "density" of the development "raises significant concern".

"There is concern relating to how this development will sit within the wider landscape," its submission added.

Concerns were also raised about an increase in traffic in the area.

'Economic benefit'

Mr McKay said the land, previously used as a farm and an equestrian holding, was "green belt in name only".

"There's only so many things you can change green belt land for - a sports facility is one of them," he said.

Meanwhile, Charles Dunn, a planning consultant advising Mr McKay, said the application would demonstrate the "very special circumstances" needed for planning approval on green belt land.

Mr Dunn said that was "a combination of the economic benefit and, really, the uniqueness of what's proposed", as well as some of the facilities being available for community use.

Any impact on neighbouring properties would be "minimal", he added.

Mr Dunn said he did not know when the council would make a decision on the plans, but Mr McKay said the facility could be up and running within 12 months of permission being granted.

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