Football centre gets go-ahead after green belt row

A project to build a major football training centre has been approved after it was previously refused due to concerns about the green belt.

Football agent Willie McKay is behind plans for the Doncaster City Elite Training Centre (DCETC) near his home in Bawtry, near Doncaster.

The 37-acre sports retreat on Martin Grange Farm would welcome top professional sides for training camps and several clubs have supported it.

McKay initially faced objections from his neighbours, but Doncaster Council heard that he had now purchased their homes from them.

Dan Fell MBE, the chief executive of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, also spoke in support of the application, and told the council's planning committee that the city "badly needed stimulus" in its economy.

The committee had rejected the scheme in February because of fears about development on green belt land.

Neighbour Collette King had objected on the grounds that her cottage would be "enclosed" by the football pitches and buildings, but McKay's offer to buy her property and another had led to her opposition being withdrawn.

In his application, McKay, whose twin sons have played professional football, said the "unique" facility would have five full-size pitches and could host major clubs from around the world before they played fixtures in England.

It would have a five-star hotel for visiting teams, padel courts, a show pitch with 499 seats, and other specialist training areas.

It would be open and staffed throughout the year.

The local MP, Lee Pitcher, has supported the project, as have Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and LA Galaxy.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North