Green light for Wirral indoor football academy

Oct 14 2009 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

PLANS to build the largest indoor football academy in the country have been given the go-ahead by Government Office North West.

The proposals to convert a massive warehouse in Wirral were approved by the council’s planning committee less than two weeks ago – but had to await approval by Government Office North West.

The scheme, by Sport Excel Academy Ltd, will see the warehouse on Bassendale Road used to create the indoor facility.

John Granby, chief executive of Sport Excel Academy, said they had searched across the North- West for a suitable location before finding the disused warehouse in Bromborough, which has been empty for six years.

He said the project would enable youngsters to benefit from top-level coaching skills, create 30 new jobs and train 270 young people each year.

The warehouse will require minimal changes to convert it and should be ready early next year.

The plan is to create three two-third size pitches, which will all be indoors to that they could be used throughout the year.

Local colleges have already said they would be interested in making use of the facility, as well as sports clubs.

The scheme had been recommended for refusal by council planning officers but members of the planning committee over-ruled their objections that the land was zoned for industrial use only. However, the scheme had to be approved by Government Office North West.