Development of the Stracey Sports Park in Rackheath could take more than half of the Community Infrastructure Fund for Broadland as the village prepares to absorb 'exceptional levels of growth'.
Rackheath Parish Council has given the green light to £400,000 worth of upgrades to the Stracey Playing Fields on Green Lane West, and Broadland District Council's cabinet will decide this week whether to approve a bid of £250,000 to the CIF.
Around 3,500 new homes are have been allocated for the village over the next 20 years, and papers going before the cabinet reveal a bid for a further 300 homes on the Growth Triangle at Rackheath is imminent.
Work on the park could begin this year if funds are approved, and will take three years to complete.
Emma Whymark, parish council chairman, said: 'Following public consultation in December 2015 regarding the future of the Stracey Sports Park, the parish council has agreed an action plan to improve the facilities starting with the development of the pavilion, a 1970s brick building in need of improvement to attract more users to the community facilities and an upgrading of the changing facilities to meet the Football Association standards.
'The parish council has approved plans to extend and enlarge the changing facilities and provide a new function room, suitable for a variety of uses such as exercise or relaxation classes, leisure activities or larger meetings.'
Quotes from three builders have given estimates of between £350,000 and £418,000, but further quotes are being sought.
In their report to cabinet, Broadland officers say: 'It is relevant that Rackheath will experience exceptional levels of growth in the next couple of decades. Only Sprowston has a comparable level of growth in the entire district.
'A full application for in excess of 300 units is due to be received before the end of the year and as the applicant is a developer it is envisaged that there will be very little delay in implementing this permission.
'It is considered that the bid is reasonable and there is no foreseeable risk the loan will not be repaid. However, if this loan is approved it will leave £91,000 in the CIF. With the exception of the approved bid to Old Catton, no other parish or town council has approached officers to discuss a potential bid.'
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