Stamford Rugby Club is to receive an extra £55,000 to help with its renovation work, paid for by developers of a nearby housing build.
The money is a result of a planning agreement known as a s106 allocation.
In June 2021, South Kesteven District Council’s Cabinet approved the distribution of funds to improve the sports facilities at Empingham Road Playing Fields.
The money came as a result of a planning agreement relating to permission granted for a sustainable extension to the Stamford West development, which included residential and affordable housing, a business park and a local centre, associated highways improvements, pedestrian and cycle links, landscaping, and open space.
The agreement stated that the money must be used to “provide, enhance, or upgrade the existing sports facilities at the Empingham Road Playing Field.”
Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Phil Dilks, said: “The original Cabinet made provision for £55,000 to be allocated to the provision of new play equipment for the adjacent Lonsdale Road Play Area.
“As there is currently no requirement for new equipment, this allocation is being transferred to the Rugby Club project.”
The Rugby Club is now to receive a total £297,890 as part of the planning process, from a total £322,470 which has also benefited Stamford Indoor Bowls Club, Stamford Outdoor Bowls and Stamford Lions Club.
The original allocation to the Rugby Club was based on the demolition and rebuild of their Club House.
The Club is still fully focused on improving facilities. But since the original funding allocation, there has been substantial inflation within the construction sector, which affected the Club’s ability to fund a completely new building. Instead, plans have now been put in place for a complete refurbishment of existing building and playing facilities.
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