Extended lease helps Chesterfield Football Club funding bid

Chesterfield Football Club can pursue its plans for the future of its training ground after being granted an extended lease by the council.

Chesterfield Borough Council has granted the club a 50-year lease for the Whitebank Sports Ground, in Hasland, enabling it to apply for grant funding to carry out a programme of improvements to the site.

Plans for the ground include the development of offices, classroom, welfare and changing facilities, subject to planning permission, as well as the refurbishment of the training pitches and creation of at least two new jobs.

The club was paying £6k a year on the previous 25-year lease, which was due to end in 2040, however applied to the authority for a longer term so it could apply for more funding.

A council report into the matter stated: “The club are continuing to maintain and invest in the upkeep of this area of land and in doing so provide benefit to the wider community in this area of Chesterfield.

“To secure the funding, the club’s investors require a long lease to be in place.”