A football club has announced ambitious plans to create a vast £1.2 million sports park on the fringe of the Black Country.

It could scupper a controversial scheme to set up two sprawling quarries on the Dudley-Staffordshire border.

Kewford Eagles has secured a 30-year lease for a 30-acre parcel of land adjoining Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club in Swindon Road, Wall Heath. Members hope to build a clubhouse and create six full-sized football pitches as well as facilities for hockey, cricket and bowls.

If approved the sports park would be sandwiched between the A449 Kidderminster Road and one of the quarry sites.

Residents are up in arms at plans, submitted by contractor FG Davis, to open sand and gravel quarries off Swindon Road between Wall Heath and Swindon.

Thousands of protestors are expected to register their objections with Staffordshire County Council before a six-week public consultation ends on November 24.

But news of the sports park plans is a boost for their hopes of defeating the quarry proposals.

Councillor Lynn Boleyn, ward member for Wall Heath and club welfare officer for Kewford Eagles, said the £1.2 million project could provide a double boost for residents.

She said: “In a roundabout way we are hoping that our plans might assist residents in their fight against the quarries. 

“It would make it very difficult for FG Davis to get permission to open a quarry here, right next to a sports club and a rugby club.” 

Kewford will outline their proposals at a meeting at the Kingfisher Country Club tomorrow and a planning application is expected to be lodged with Staffordshire County Council before Christmas. 

Councillor Boleyn says the club has gradually got too big for its current Scout Ground site in Swindon Road.