Moss Farm

We are currently working with on-site clubs, groups, users and other partners to make improvements to Moss Farm Leisure Complex in Northwich.

The vision for the site includes building on the fantastic offer for the community already in place and to provide leading sports facilities for the area, increasing the numbers and diversity of people who use the site.

The project aims to develop a viable, self-sustaining mix of facilities to meet the needs of the local area and empower on-site clubs and organisations to manage the site.

Progress to date

Concrete football and rugby pitch

Renovations to the football and rugby pitch, next to the sand-dressed Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP), were completed in September 2023. This includes spraying of herbicide on the grass surface, removal of the concrete barriers, installation of main and lateral drains, regrading, resurfacing and laser levelling to Sport England specification. The pitch was fenced off until August 2024 to allow the grass to establish and the goalposts have been installed ready for the new rugby season.

New 3G football pitch

Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Cheshire FA, have been awarded a £735,395 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation to build a new 3G pitch for women’s and girls’ football at Moss Farm. This project has also been supported by an additional £407,950 from the Council and Cheshire FA.

The new pitch will be one of at least 30 set to benefit from the Football Foundation’s Lionesses Futures Fund and will help meet the growing demand for women’s and girls’ football. The pitch will prioritise access for women and girls through reserved peak-time slots and welcoming changing facilities to create a best-in-class experience.

Moss Farm’s existing football facilities have been supporting women and girls’ football in the area for over 20 years, providing a high-quality venue for females of all ages and abilities to start, or continue, their journey in the game. The creation of a second top-level artificial playing surface will enhance and increase the facilities available to women and girls across Cheshire, which will in turn allow the female game to grow stronger in the coming years.

Pedestrian and cyclist access improvements

Plans are in place to improve access and movement around the site for pedestrians and cyclists using Section 106 developer contributions from the adjacent housing developments.

Topographical Surveys have been completed and a new pedestrian access point has been installed off Dahlia Crecent, further access and path improvements will be completed off Century Avenue in Spring 2025.

Car parking

Surface refurbishments have been completed to the car park adjacent to the Cheshire FA building with line marking and installation of Hoop Barriers at the level changes in the main car park.

Ecological surveys

The buildings in the car park and some of the trees on the archery range are being surveyed for roosting bats and birds. This is necessary for any removal or demolition planning applications, and to support Winnington Bowman Archery Club in creating a safer and larger range. 

Northwich Rugby Club clubhouse

Our in-house contractors Qwest have completed the refurbishment of the Northwich Rugby Club clubhouse following the fire in October 2022 with the opening ceremony taking place in September 2023.

Cottage roofing

The roofs of the three cottages have now been repaired. Work was delayed due to roosting bats, but works are now complete and the scaffolding removed.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Moss Farm Leisure Complex has been awarded £37,000 from the second round of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which will pay for new cycle stores to promote active travel to the site and improvements to the Moss Lane entrance. There is also funding for training and guidance for sports clubs, which could include training sessions on business planning, financial sustainability, legacy strategies, management skills, marketing, bid writing, social media and forming a community interest company.

Timeline

• September 2023: Works completed to concrete pitch
• September 2023: Works completed to Northwich Rugby Club following the fire damage
• Spring 2024: Improvements to car park completed
• July 2024: Planning Approval for new 3G Pitch and new car park
• August 2024: external grant offer from the Football Foundation for construction of a new 3G artificial grass pitch and new ancillary car park
• September 2024: Demolition of Black Barn completed
• Autum/Winter 2024 into Spring 2025: Construction of new 3G and car park
• Spring 2025: Refurbishment of sand dressed artificial pitch
• 2024/25: continued refurbishment of ancillary buildings around the site