An amateur football team is looking forward to expanding as its plans for a new ground move a step closer.

Wyresdale AFC say the new ground, which will be less than a mile away, will mean more teams can be established, including for children and women.

It is due to be completed by next year.

The plans for the new ground formed part of plans to build 94 homes at lane on Inverbeg Drive, Breightmet, the club's old ground.

The local authority previously threw out the plans but the Planning Inspectorate overruled this and gave the developers the green light to develop the housing estate.

A condition of the approval  was that applicants Westchurch Homes Limited provide a replacement football pitch for the club.

Now they have sent a statement to Bolton Council stating that this condition has been met.

The new ground will be based on Radcliffe Moor Road on the Bolton and Radcliffe border.

Bury Times: The site off Inverbeg Drive

The replacement pitch is less than a mile away and falls within the same Sport England catchment area.

Sport England previously stated a timeline was needed before the condition would be met.

The developers have provided this.

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Wyresdale AFC have said they are happy with how the plan is progressing and believe the new ground will provide new opportunities for the club.

Aamar Ahmed, secretary at the club, said: “There will be four pitches with modern changing rooms, a new club house and more car parking.

“The pitch will be ready for the start of the 2025/26 season. It will be built then it will need 12 months to set.

“It is part of the agreement from the developers and we will be able to have kids’ teams and women’s teams.

“That was not possible at the current ground.

“We will get two adult pitches and two youth pitches to encourage participation, that is one of the thing that FA wanted, to open it to more people.

“They would not have got planning permission without this.

“Part of the deal is they have to provide better facilities.

“It is very positive for us.”