A new plan to deliver better grassroot football facilities has been unveiled.

The Local Football Facility Plan for Cheshire East has been published, setting out a vision for transforming local facilities.

The plan has been prepared with support from partners including the Premier League, The FA and Government's Football Foundation, Cheshire County FA, Active Partnership, Sport England and Cheshire East Council.

It identifies the need for 11 new 3G pitches and the refurbishment of three existing 3G pitches across Crewe, Congleton, Nantwich, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Wilmslow, Poynton, Macclesfield, and Knutsford.

The plan also identifies potential projects to deliver new or refurbished changing facilities in places such as Gawsworth, Poynton, Middlewich, Wilmslow and Crewe.

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, said: "In Cheshire East, we are very lucky to have a high uptake of local people – of all ages, genders and abilities – taking part in grassroots football, and we are already home to some fantastic football facilities.

"But we know that having quality football pitches to play on and better provision of off-pitch facilities, such as changing rooms, are hugely important to local clubs, and over the coming years, further investment will be needed.

"The plan for Cheshire East creates a potential funding route to deliver some of this investment and support the range of needs identified in the council's playing pitch and outdoor sport strategy. 

"We now have a great opportunity to work with clubs to help them to pursue investment in their local facilities and hopefully encourage an even greater uptake of grassroots football and get more people outdoors and being active."

Cllr Warren added: "It is also important to note that while Football Foundation funded projects will always be football led, there is an opportunity to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of even more of our residents by supporting other sports and physical activities to take place on these sites.

"By doing this, it can help to reduce health inequalities and support our residents to live well for longer."

The plan identifies the need for new and improved facilities in areas such as Macclesfield, Gawsworth, Congleton and Poynton (Credit: Pixabay)

Every local authority in the country has its own Local Football Facility Plan, identifying projects which could potentially receive investment from the Football Foundation.

Each project must still follow an application process to show how it will deliver key participation and social outcomes, become a quality and sustainable facility and demonstrate suitable partnership funding.

Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "The Football Foundation has worked closely with local authorities, County FAs and other community stakeholders across the country to create Local Football Facility Plans for every local authority in England.

"Collectively, these plans act as a blueprint for providing the grassroots football facility improvements that each community needs and deserves across the country – made possible thanks to the funding we receive from the Premier League, The FA and Government.

"We look forward to working with Cheshire East Council to deliver this plan to provide even more opportunities to play for the local community."

 To view the full plan for Cheshire East, visit