Stockport Council have responded to Sport England's objection to the planning application to remove the carpet from the astroturf and import top soil and return it to a movable surface.
Full details can be found in this this document: Rationale Statement
In summary, the evidence provided shows that the playing pitch in question has not been used for well over a period of 5 years. As such, the site is not considered to form part of, or constitute, a playing field for consultation purposes, i.e. as defined in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010 (Statutory Instrument 2010 No.2184) and therefore, the LPA is now treating the consultation response from Sport England as a non-statutory consultation.
On this basis, the LPA will now proceed with the application to a final conclusion by the current decision target date of the 28th July 2023.
An Amended Proposed Works Plan has also been submitted, which notes the "future, community desire to have raised bed planters for growing food and tree planting on this green site off the pitch location"
FoPMOS are hopeful that the planning application will now be agreed and work on the Community Open Space can commence shortly.
Further updates will follow in early August.