A petition has been launched in a bid to prevent a junior football club in Burntwood being left homeless.

Midland Soccer Academy currently plays on pitches associated with the former youth club on Cherry Close.

But plans by Staffordshire County Council to build a new health centre on the site have left the future of the club in doubt.

Kieran Newey, who organised the petition said it could have a “catastrophic impact” on the local community.

“We are deeply concerned about Staffordshire County Council’s decision to build on the existing playing fields at Cherry Close and demolish the current youth centre building utilised by several hundred children and young adults every week, leaving groups homeless until a satisfactory resolution has been finalised.

“This decision will have aa catastrophic impact on the local community and the environment, and places a serious threat to Midland Soccer Academy’s future.

“The facilities at Cherry Close provide a vital space for children and young people to engage in physical activity, socialise with their peers and develop important life skills.

“The loss of this space and community building will have a negative impact on their health and wellbeing.”

Kieran Newey

The proposals – which were first unveiled last year – will see the site become the new home to the Salters Meadow Health Centre and the Burntwood Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Mr Newey said:

“We urge the county council to explore opportunities to work alongside these vital community groups to secure like for like alternatives before forcing them to leave.

“According to research conducted by Fields in Trust, access to green spaces is associated with improved physical health, mental wellbeing, social cohesion and reduced levels of obesity. Additionally, studies show that children who engage in regular physical activity perform better academically than those who do not.

“We implore the county council to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our community by preserving this valuable green space for future generations and honour the promises to work with Midland Soccer Academy to ensure there is No Detrimental impact on their existing provision.”

Kieran Newey

“Encouraged organisations to plan ahead”

Cllr Mark Sutton, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, told Lichfield Live organisations using the site had known for a number of years that they would need to secure new locations.

“Groups taking short-term leases on this site on a peppercorn rent have always known that the long-term intention is to use the land to provide a medical centre to improve outdated facilities for thousands of residents in Burntwood.

“This situation is disappointing, because for several years we have encouraged organisations to plan ahead and we have offered help where we can, including searches and suggestions for alternative premises.

“We are working with colleagues in the NHS, who will be responsible for the provision of the new building, and we continue to be as flexible as we can with our tenants until site work must begin.”

Cllr Mark Sutton, Staffordshire County Council

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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Alica Fibmerchant
9 months ago

There are loads of pitches in and around Burntwood. Loads. Nearly every primary and secondary school makes the pitches available for football clubs. There’s the pitches at the leisure centre, the open green space just off Landsdowne Avenue, Burntwood Park, Coppy Nook etc etc. Is this more of an attempt for a commercially ran football school to ensure it maintains its revenues and its low rent costs? That part of Burntwood really needs a decent health centre.

Anti bigot bigot
9 months ago

We will need this health centre when all of the kids develop mental health issues. Are they not the future anymore?

Kieran newey
9 months ago

Alica Fibmerchant
Thanks for your comments ,
Whilst we have been aware of plans for a medical centre on approx 1/3 of the site there’s been no mention of the care home & extra care facility until recently,
Although our completely volunteer ran organisation pays a peppercorn rent it’s on the agreement we meet all the ground maintenance costs which stretch to several thousands each year.
We carry out pitch power assessments twice yearly & have improved these pitches from basic ( level 1 ) to good ( level 3) & they are now some of the best in the area.
With reference to school pitches as well is these being in terrible condition they are all used by other clubs , Chasetown Youth have 50 + teams & Burntwood Dragon’s have 40+,
In addition teams such as Norton Canes & Hednesford Town girls utilise the pitches at BLC so there are insufficient pitches available to meet current demand, Never mind how many additional teams are added over the next 5-10 years.

Mike
9 months ago

Anti bigot bigot where are all these mental issues coming from,my generation put up with being bombed we don’t have issues. Is it fast foods that do it or staring at a £1k smart phone day in day out

Clare Sholl
9 months ago

@mike: mental health problems can affect anyone, regardless of age.Being in denial about this doesn’t help anyone.

Stormwatch
9 months ago

Strewth Mike. What a statement!

Nobody of that generation has issues?

I’m rereading that and am thinking (hoping!) it’s a parody.

Jimmy
9 months ago

You remember being bombed? Are you over 90? In Lichfield? Kids were evacuated to Lichfield not from it.

Also, yeah, there were tonnes of people with mental health issues in the past. They just got committed to asylums and forgotten about. Luckily ideas like yours are dying out.

Mike
9 months ago

Jimmy wasn’t in Lichfield in those days so don’t imagine things