Sara Britcliffe, Member of Parliament for Hyndburn and Haslingden, has today welcomed the news that subject to planning, Huncoat United Football Club will be able to stay at their home ground on Bolton Avenue in Huncoat, rather than having to move due to United Utilities Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme, which runs through part of Bolton Avenue’s playing fields.
The news, which is now subject to planning, comes after the Hyndburn and Haslingden MP met with United Utilities and Huncoat United FC to try and resolve the local football club’s playing situation just last week. The major engineering works being undertaken by the water company risked their playing future at Bolton Avenue in Huncoat. Agreement has now been reached so that the club can stay at their home ground, with United Utilities providing a new pitch and slightly moving another.
As part of their Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP), United Utilities would have had to complete engineering works at Bolton Avenue, which would have taken one of the club’s pitches and left them needing to find a new home.
Work has been ongoing for months to try and find a solution.
Hyndburn and Haslingden MP Sara Britcliffe has been working closely with United Utilities and Huncoat United on this issue and held several meetings on the topic. The newly proposed solution will see United Utilities building new pitches on Bolton Avenue, in areas where their engineering work will not disturb. The matter must now go to Hyndburn Borough Council, who have ultimate responsibility for planning.
Sara Britcliffe MP commented:
I know the strength of feeling from those at Huncoat United regarding where they want to play. They wanted to stay in Huncoat, despite these engineering works, and I am glad we now have a solution, which is of course subject to planning.
I’m glad also for the residents of Great Harwood, who I know were uneasy about potential building at Memorial Park – this plan will avert the need to do that.
By working with United Utilities and Huncoat United, I am pleased we may have found a solution and I thank both for their engagement throughout.
