Sportsfield Confusion Continues

Planning Permission Granted for Newdale Sportsfield Amidst Confusion and Delays

In last Wednesdays planning meeting, Telford and Wrekin Council granted "outline planning permission" for the development of the Newdale Sportsfield, formerly known as Overdale Sportsfield.

The council approved plans for a new all-weather 3G pitch, a nine-a-side grass pitch, and a single-storey pavilion with kitchen, toilets, and changing facilities.

However, some residents expressed disappointment, as previous discussions with local councillors had suggested a larger "clubhouse" would be built. Was this a case of over promising prior to elections, or a simple lack of understanding the differences between a clubhouse and pavillion by local councillors?

The project also includes landscaping, improved access, and enhanced parking facilities, with features such as disabled parking, coach parking, bicycle storage, and electric vehicle charging points.

Despite previous lack of documented interest since Councillor Boylan’s failed attempts in 2016, the project has now gained support from Lawley and Overdale Parish Council. References to the original planning date back to 1987, though recent efforts were noted only from 2014.

Both Telford and Wrekin Council and Lawley and Overdale Parish Council have faced criticism for the protracted timeline, taking a decade to secure this stage.


The local Green Party played a crucial role in pushing the councils forward by submitting Freedom of Information requests, which revealed a lack of public records and action on the project between 1987 to 1994, 1995 to 1997, 1998 to 2014, 2016 to 2021 and 2022 to 2023. 

Only after persistent pressure did the councils move forward with the plans, and start to become a little more open and transparent, albeit reluctantly!

Confusion has arisen when Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism, Culture, and the Arts, announced that "full planning permission" had been granted, contradicting the council’s own newsroom statement of "outline planning permission". Clarification has been sought from the council pending the release of the formal minutes later this year.


Construction is slated to begin in 2025, with completion expected in 2026. However, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant to ensure the project is carried through, given its history of delays and election-related promises falling by the wayside.


For further details, see previous reports linked below.

Previous Reports

(A further 4 links are also at the end of the linked page above to give a complete history)


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