New sports stadium receives £235,000 to fund plans

It was hoped the stadium, in Workington, would be built for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, before plans were scaled back

Funds have been released to finance the development of a much-anticipated sports stadium in west Cumbria.

Cumberland Council has agreed to spend £235,000 on a planning application to be drawn up for Cumberland Sports Village.

The stadium has been in the works for more than five years, but plans were scaled back in 2019 after the previous council said it was a "financial risk".

It is expected to become the home of Workington Reds football club and Workington Town RLFC.

Leader of Cumberland Council, Mark Fryer, said: "I am very pleased the council is now able to release this initial tranche of funding.

"I have been fighting for West Cumbria to have a top-class stadium for many years and it is fantastic that the architects are now able to create the detailed designs for a venue which will cement our status as major players on the sporting map."

A planning application is expected to be submitted to the council later this year.

Funding has been secured from the Workington Town Deal

Cumberland Sports Village was initially mooted as a 8,000-seater stadium, and it was hoped it would host games in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

But the plan was reconsidered by Allerdale Borough Council (now part of Cumberland Council) due to the risk the project posed to its finances.

The £235,000 investment has been released as part of the Labour-led council's Workington Town Deal, which received money from the government's Town Fund.

The money will be used to draw up detailed plans, instruct architects and pay other planning professionals.

Cumberland Sports Village Limited will be responsible for the development of the site.

Dave Bowden, spokesman for Cumberland Sports Village, said: "The next stage of work to build the new Cumberland Sports Village can now begin in earnest.

"This is more than just a sports ground, it’s an entire community facility, and it’s exciting to see it gathering pace."