Cash boost for sports clubs

FIVE sports clubs in the Downend area are among those sharing more than £1 million of funding from developers.

South Gloucestershire Council announced 13 projects to improve sports facilities and public open spaces that will be given a total of £1.17 million.

The money has been paid by the developers of eight building projects across the district, as part of legal deals required to secure planning permission.

The biggest grant is £254,789 to Frenchay Cricket Club towards construction of a new pavilion at the Bob Stone Ground in Common Mead Lane, Hambrook

The club made a planning application to demolish its existing pavilion and replace it with a new one in August this year. The plan is currently awaiting a decision on permission. It follows an award of £624,322 of developer funding to the project last year.

Neighbouring Downend and Frenchay Tennis Club will receive £86,758 towards the construction of its new clubhouse, adding to £366,579 it was awarded last year.

Cleve Archers will receive £31,235 to fund extension of its shooting shelter, installing a wind turbine and buying new archery targets for its ground at Down Yonder, off Bromley Heath Road in Moorend. The club restored the ground in a nine-year project, costing £500,000, which was completed in 2022.

Cleeve Hill Tennis Club in Downend will receive £43,379 towards improvements to its pavilion and court.

DRG Frenchay football club will receive £25,160 towards changing room improvements, new goalposts and storage improvements at its ground in Frenchay Park Road.

The money has come from builders behind projects including the redevelopment of the former Frenchay Hospital site and building at Hambrook Lane, Stoke Gifford.

Council cabinet member Sean Rhodes said: “It’s important that housing developers contribute towards the infrastructure needed by growing communities.”