The Sorry State of Churchill Road Recreation Ground

UPDATE FROM BELLWAY HOMES: 26.3.25

A Bellway spokesperson said: “As part of the planning agreement, we have delivered 13 affordable homes, and we have also paid a £500,000 contribution towards education. We are currently in discussions with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to pay the play space and sport pitch contributions, which are both intended to be used towards improving Churchill Road Recreation Ground.”

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Churchill Road Recreation Ground is not as it once was; the quality play equipment is no longer there, the toilet and changing block used for football matches is gone, and even the gate has disappeared!

Tean Road Memorial Ground has seen significant investment in recent years, with a new bowling pavilion completed just in time for the 2025 bowling season. We fully appreciate the improvements at Tean Road, but we are left to wonder when even the most basic facilities will be provided at Churchill Road.

Churchill Road Rec was once a central part of the mining community, bringing people together and hosting a family activity day organized by the local community group, the Friends of Churchill Road, every August for many years. Although the mining community is long gone, the resident community remained strong until recently. The need still exists, but the sense of community among local residents, coming together to advocate for a space where children can play and families can enjoy picnics or sports, seems to be unheard.

Who's responsible?

The situation surrounding the facility's decline is somewhat complicated. Cheadle Town Council currently leases the space from the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, and it is the Town Council that is accountable for the facilities. The District Council controls the investment funds and has been promising what is known as Section 106 money for several years. This money is intended to provide specific types of infrastructure to offset the impact of housing developments, paid by the developer to the district. Play facilities are included in these provisions.

Nobody anticipated that the Belway Homes development at Cecilly Mills would take five years to complete, including Belway. This delay has led the district to postpone investing in Churchill Road in favour of a larger payout, which could transform Churchill Road Rec for the benefit of local residents. For the Section 106 money to be payable, a certain percentage of the new homes must be occupied, and it seems this requirement has long been met.

We are currently unsure why the money hasn't been paid, if that's the case, nor do we understand why the district council has not engaged with local residents about their desires for the park. What we do know is that Belway Homes has constructed a rather nice set of steps from the new properties onto the lane leading directly to the park.

We have asked both the Town and District Councils, as well as Belway Homes, to clarify their plans for Churchill Road and the payment. We will keep you updated on any developments.

Meanwhile, if you're visiting the park—and we recommend you do—please avoid the hazardous manhole cover where the toilet block once stood. Be cautious when entering from the Cecilly Brook end, as the brook is unfenced and a steep drop has recently emerged, posing a risk to pets and children. Curious about the rules for keeping your dog on a lead? Don't bother; the sign and gate are no longer there.

Could this be contributing to the misbehaviour of our youth? If we don't care, why should they? Perhaps. We look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please use our contact page or send in your stories to comment.

The Sorry State of Churchill Road Recreation Ground