Bude Road playing fields, Hull
Bude Road playing fields, Hull

Bude playing fields development gets council backing

Plans to improve the playing fields and build new changing facilities at Bude Park have moved a step closer.

The proposed scheme at Bude Park could include both playing field redesign and upgrade, re-provision of changing accommodation and flood prevention design work to ensure the pitches are useable all year round.

Hull City Council’s cabinet have agreed to allocate funding from Foredyke Area Committee and commission the Hull Esteem LEP Consortium (working in collaboration with NPS) to design a masterplan of the scheme, submit official plans, and obtain quotes for the long-term project.

The money allocated would act as match funding for an application to the Football Foundation who have identified Bude Park as one of their key strategic sites for development.

Consultation has already taken place with Kingswood United, who currently use Bude Park as their home ground with wider consultation with the local football community to be undertaken shortly. The masterplan design takes into account Kingswood’s current number of teams, which include male and female squads, and future expansion aspirations.

Representatives from Kingswood United are also part of a project team which has been established and includes the local area team and Hull Culture and Leisure.

Councillor Dave Craker, Portfolio Holder Culture, Leisure & Tourism said: “The improvements to the playing fields and the addition of new changing rooms is very welcomed and will provide good quality football amenities to the local football community and residents of Hull.”

Following the submission of the bid, a decision could be made within three to four months. If successful, work could begin on it this year. A 10-12 month period of non-activity on the fields would then be required in order for them to be established and ready to be used for football matches.

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