Why our plan is better than Monks Lane one

AT the West Berkshire Council western area planning committee meeting on November 24, Newbury Community Football Group’s planning applications 20/01966/ COMIND and 20/01530/OUT for a new clubhouse and 3G pitch at the Faraday Road football ground were emphatically and unanimously passed by the committee.

The only negative note was expressed by councillor Woollaston who stated that these applications “are a waste of members’ and officers’ time that have to be bought here as the land is owned by West Berkshire Council”.

He went on to say that he felt that they are vexatious.

So why was he so annoyed?

Is it because he can’t bear the thought that the people of Newbury may actually start comparing this very sensible and well-supported proposal to the Monks Lane Sports Hub proposal that has yet to come to planning and which he (and his fellow executive members) are pushing?

The Faraday Road facts are:

Yes, the land is owned by West Berkshire Council and it has been since 1963, but as stated at the meeting the council are only custodians who own land on our behalf and they should use it for the benefit and enrichment of us all. They should not (but are) acting as a speculative property developer who are gambling on the prospect that at some stage (who knows when) they or a partner may get planning permission to build (yet more) private flats on much-needed green and open space in a known flood zone.

These planning applications for Faraday Road are not new. It is the first planning application for a new 3G football facility with stadia in Newbury. They were originally submitted by NCFG in April 2018. No objections were received, but support was unanimous and overwhelming – supported by

Sport England, the FA, the Football Foundation, Newbury Town Council, the Newbury Society and over 2,000 people who signed a petition of support

It is supported by a robust and sustainable business case that would require a modest upfront investment from West Berkshire Council of circa £500,000. The remaining funds would come from external funding. Importantly West Berkshire Council will once again receive an income from the ground and get a positive return of investment.

Over the course of the project, it would not cost the taxpayer a penny.

The facility will be run by a notfor-profit community group and all surpluses will be reinvested in the football ground itself for developing and promoting local football needs.

West Berkshire Council would still own the land (on our behalf).

These planning applications would provide a proper football ground that would once again be the best in the area and be future proof and scalable to allow teams to compete at the highest level.

This proposal can be delivered in the short term and is not dependent on ifs, buts and maybes.

In stark contrast, the Monks Lane facts are:

It’s based on an unsustainable and massive loss-making business case that relies on an annual subsidy (of £90,000-plus) that puts an enormous and unnecessary burden on the local council tax payer.

Although the full costs are yet to be finalised/declared, the total conservative project cost is over £11m (at today’s rate) – it could and probably will be much higher.

This is at a time when the council are asking for suggestions on how and where to save money.

The Football Association (FA) object to the Monks Lane planning application and have stated that they do not accept that the proposal would represent a satisfactory replacement for the Faraday Road stadium.

Their objections are based two elements – the physical design of the facility and the business plan.

The Rugby Football Union

(RFU) have also expressed a holding objection in relation to the application.

Their concerns are split into the same two elements as the FA – the physical design and the business plan.

It’s being called a Sports Hub, not a football ground, there will be conflict between rugby and football usage, it’s too small (jammed in), in the wrong location and not a football ground that can support and meet the ambitions and aspirations of men’s and ladies’ teams in Newbury senior men’s and ladies’ teams and the wider football community.

West Berkshire Council would not own the land.

They will pay rent to the rugby club of £41,000 per year (at today’s rate).

The costs for a single 3G pitch that neither meets the needs of the rugby or football community is simply staggering and totally unjustified. PAUL MORGAN

Newbury Community Football Group