Plans approved for new sports facility at former Kellingley Club
Plans have been approved for the first stage of redeveloping the site of a town’s former social club.
Council planners have given the go-ahead for a sports pavilion, car park and new parkland to replace the old Kellingley Club, in Knottingley, which has been demolished to make way for community facilities.
Proposals for the new pavilion include a bar, function room, changing rooms and spectator facilities.
The £6.3m project is part of the Knottingley and Ferrybridge masterplan, which sets out the approach to regenerate the area over the next 15 to 20 years.
A council planning officer’s report said: “It is considered that the development would provide a beneficial facility for local residents in an accessible and sustainable location.”
The scheme is the first phase of a major revamp of the site.
Other future proposals for the area include a building a wellbing hub, providing more play areas and upgrading sports pitches.
The club had close links with the former Kellingley Colliery.
Kellingley, affectionately known as ‘Big K’, opened in the 1960s and was the last active deep coal mine in the UK when it closed in 2015.
A heritage report accompanying the application said: “The social club and football club were a key component of the colliery’s community during the period of operation.
“The Kellingley Welfare Football Club was founded in 1965, and the Kellingley Colliery was opened the following year.
“About 2,000 miners were employed there at any one time and utilised the clubs outside of work.”
Demolition work at the site started last autumn.
Jack Hemingway, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth, said at the time: “Residents have been waiting a long time to see this building come down, so it’s great to see progress happening on site.
“We’re investing over £6million to completely transform the site and create a brand-new, purpose-built community and sports facility that local people can enjoy and be proud of.”