BARNSLEY Council has provisionally approved a 25-year lease of playing fields to a local football club in order to unlock major investment in grassroots sports.

The lease, agreed at no cost to North Gawber Colliery FC, will give control over almost ten acres of land at Darton Longfields Recreation Ground.

It paves the way for the club to apply for capital funding through the Football Foundation’s Home Advantage programme, which supports grassroots clubs to build and improve sports facilities.

If the lease goes ahead as planned, the club will become responsible for its upkeep - a role it has already partially undertaken - spending nearly £10,000 annually to improve the four-pitch site’s quality.

A report said: “The club is facing challenges relating to generation of income associated with their existing facilities.

“The lack of welfare facilities hinders their growth and ability to host matchdays and lack of sufficient car parking results in complaints from residents.

“There is access to a local car park, but this serves both the recreation ground and high street and comes under pressure during matchday events.

“In June 2023 the proposal for the club to take a leasehold interest in the site was supported and a business plan was submitted by the club.

“The granting of a 25-year underlease to the club will allow them to access capital funding through a programme designed to help local authorities and grassroots football clubs invest in sites to enhance the value of the asset.

“It also covers the costs associated with the transfer of the land.”

Plans outlined by the club include the installation of security fencing, welfare cabins, new storage areas, utility connections and eventually a new hard-surfaced car park and improved access road.

Long-term ambitions include building a multi-purpose clubroom with changing rooms and a kitchen.

“Under the proposed lease terms, the council will no longer be required to maintain the land included in the lease, and North Gawber Colliery Football Club limited will be obligated to maintain the land as per the lease terms,” the report added.

“The current council maintenance costs associated with Darton Longfields Recreation Ground (land east of the River Dearne only) are in the region of £5,000.

“The site currently generates an income of circa £2,000 from pitch hire which will be lost to the council.

“All other costs associated with managing the site will transfer to the club, although there will remain periodic ongoing estate management of the site.”