Key consideration for the site development were the partial location of the site within the floodplain, the adjacent public footpaths, the river Kennet, together with several mature trees.

Specific challenges relating to this project were political, relating to the local council’s intention to redevelop the site and relocate the football facility, as well as the technical, which ensured the scheme met with Sport England requirements and specification for pitch sizing, and correct stadia dimensions.

The application had significant local community support, despite the political issues, and we addressed the technical planning obstacles via a series of coordinated reports from the consultant team, which included arboriculture, ecology, viability, and planning.  The site already benefitted from use as a football facility and therefore did not require consent in principle but did need to directly address the council’s local development plan and meet the needs of Sport England.

The outline consent that has been achieved will need to be developed into a Reserved Matters application, with the full extent of the clubhouse and stand designed in detail, meanwhile however a change of political control at the local authority has meant that the scheme can progress and that the community benefits to a range of local football teams, of various ages and genders, is significant and that community sport can be retained and promoted within the town centre.