Playing fields in south Manchester could be developed into new housing. The land off Wilbraham Road which is owned by Greater Manchester Youth Federation was last used for football in September 2016, according to plans.

The charity which was responsible for setting up 'Lads' Clubs' across the city leased the land to St Bede's College for 15 years, before it was used by the neighbouring Maine Road Football Club as an overspill for training in 2015. But faced with an 'extremely challenging environment', the 125-year-old organisation is now looking to develop the land and reinvest in other areas.

Developer Anwyl Homes has now put forward plans to build 65 new homes on the site - a mix of houses and apartments - of which 13 would be affordable. As part of the plans, a new football pitch would be created at Alexandra Park and a non-turf pitch would be created at South West Manchester Cricket Club.

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Phil Dolan, managing director of Anwyl Homes Cheshire and North Wales said: "Earlier this year, Greater Manchester Youth Federation selected Anwyl Homes as the preferred developer for unused land the charity owns off Wilbraham Road and closed to the public since 2016. Anwyl Homes is a well-established family-owned house builder, proposing a thoughtfully designed development of 65 energy efficient homes including a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties on the land.

"The proposals are the result of extensive pre-application consultation undertaken with the local community, Manchester City Council, MCRActive and other stakeholders. If approved, the scheme will deliver significant community benefits including 13 affordable homes, on-site biodiversity net gain, additional tree planting and upgrading the LED floodlights at neighbouring Maine Road FC.

"In addition, several improvements are proposed to existing sports facilities in the local area including at Alexandra Park, where a new football pitch will be created and an existing football pitches and cricket wickets will be enhanced. There is also a new non-turf cricket pitch proposed at South West Manchester Cricket Club. GMYF has a long list of youth projects requiring investment and the intention is for the charity to use funds generated from the sale of the land to support affiliate clubs, such as the Whitemoss facility in Blackley and Jimmy Egan's, Wythenshawe."

The 2.2 hectare site is currently fenced off and inaccessible to the public. The field used by Maine Road Football Club is not part of the plans, but some land owned by the St Margaret's Centre would be 'ecologically enhanced'.

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