CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new sports ground are set to pick up pace this week - but a local councillor has slammed the decision claiming that residents’ voices have not been taken into account.
Work began this week on the new Parkside Centre in Hoyland Common with a state-of-the-art 3G football pitch being the first element of the facility being built.
Created in partnership with the Forge Community Partnership and the Football Foundation, the new facility will include a single-storey 40.5-metre by 17.9-metre building with a reception area, cafe, studio spaces, two full-size sports team changing rooms, changing rooms for sports officials, accessible changing rooms, and a floodlit artificial grass sports pitch.
Sixty-four car parking spaces will be provided, as well as an overspill car park for a further 30 vehicles.
Barnsley Council bosses have said that when completed, the centre will be an all-weather, year-round venue for local football teams, schools, and sports clubs, that will be community owned and will ‘help residents lead a happier, healthier and more connected lifestyle’.
Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said: “The new facility at Parkside is another great example of our investment in our local communities and improving the facilities available for residents to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle.
“With both recreational and social spaces, we hope that the new centre will be a real hub in the local area, with the new 3G football pitch being the start of a wealth of benefits to the community.
“I’d like to thank residents in advance for their patience and co-operation while the work takes place, and I hope they enjoy using the new centre once it is complete.”
Work will also begin on the new pavilion building at the end of September.
The 3G pitch will be completed by approximately March 2025 with the pavilion finished by approximately July 2025.
However, the scheme has been mired in controversy ever since the plans first broke cover.
Despite a long-running campaign and petitions being lodged in a bid to save it, the relocation of Rockingham Sports Ground to Parkside - which is just 900 metres away - was approved by the council’s planning board in November.
Campaigners claimed it represented more ‘needless destruction’ of Hoyland’s remaining few green spaces.
Coun David White, who represents the Rockingham ward, has backed residents’ claims - and has called for more to be done to support locals in the area after he claimed their voices were not being heard.
He told the Chronicle: “I have spoken to many residents over many months regarding the new Parkside development.
“The view of most people is that we have a perfectly good facility already and that the location is far from ideal.
“Noise from sport fans, floodlighting through the winter and road access are all contributing to disruption to local residents.
“As usual, the communication and consultation from Barnsley Council has been poor at best.
“People want a say in what happens in their community and not be dictated to.”
