Gateshead Council has green-lit the transfer of Marley Hill football pitch to a local youth club.
The Whickham Fellside Youth Football Club has been granted a 25-year lease for the football pitch and changing rooms at Marley Hill Park on the condition it receives confirmation for the transfer from two further bodies.
The council is trustee of the land, and because of its trust status, rubber stamping is required by the Charities Commission and coal mining charity CISWO which works to protect community spaces in former coal mining communities.
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For an annual lease of £620, the club could increase its sports offering in tandem with its existing facility in Watergate Park. According to council documents: "The grant of a lease to the Whickham Fellside Youth Football Club is considered to be in the best interests of the Trust as it provides a sustainable model for the changing rooms and football pitch."
Lib Dem Whickham and Sunniside councillor Jonathan Wallace said: "We have had two very successful transfers in Marley Hill already, the bowling green and the community centre.
"We have always said we will support transfers as long as there is public access and they benefit the community. When we looked at the proposals for the football club, I think we were quite happy with it, and we want to make sure the club is talking to the residents so that if there are any issues, parking for instance, they can be resolved.
"I am confident that will be the case."
Whickham and Fellside Youth Football Club, established in 1980, is a voluntary organisation financed by families, members, charitable organisations and donators. The club has 36 teams ranging from under six to multi-age groups.
Club secretary, Barry Wake said: "We have grown to 36 teams which we continue to maintain but we need another site based on the volume. We know residents have some concerns but we are looking to keep it so residents can continue to use the park as well."
Mr Wake went on to say if permission is green-lit on all sides, this could stop the park from becoming overgrown, dis-used, or a flytipping hotspot.
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