Southwell City FC plans new synthetic pitch in bid to secure club’s future
Proposals include new spectator areas, an expanded clubhouse and fencing at the Brinkley ground
A football club in Nottinghamshire is planning to expand its grounds to help secure its future.
Southwell City Football Club, which is based at the Centenary Sports Ground in Fiskerton Road, Brinkley, also hopes the new pitch and spectator areas will help “improve the health and well-being of the local community”.
The club is asking for permission from Newark and Sherwood District Council to install a new synthetic turf pitch, as well as goal storage and new spectator areas.
An expanded clubhouse is also proposed alongside a new 4.5 metre-high fence around the pitch.
Jonny Upton, the manager of the club, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It will help future-proof the club and will be a massive asset for the juniors.
“It should help take some of the burden off for games in the winter. It may attract even better players to help us progress up.”
Planning documents say: “The proposals will result in the loss of a natural grass stadia pitch, approximately 100 x 64m.
“The existing pitch is being replaced on a like-for-like footprint with a synthetic turf surface. The provision of the new pitch will provide increased potential usage in comparison to the existing natural turf surfaced pitch, for benefit of current and potential future users of the facility, both during the day and evenings and weekends via pre-arranged and structured community access.
“Synthetic turf pitches are more durable compared to natural turf, especially during winter weather conditions, which offers increased opportunity for sports use to improve the health and well-being of the local community.”
Southwell City Football Club was formed in 1893, and its members play football in the shadow of the Norman Minster, which became a cathedral prior to the club’s formation in 1884.
The club says its proximity to the ancient structure gave rise to its name; Southwell City, with cathedrals often being associated with city status.
It currently plays in the United Counties Football League in Division One.
“The proposed development includes a modest kitchen extension to provide a practical, well-organised kitchen space to the club pavilion building,” plans add.
“This will improve the functionality of the facility without introducing an unnecessarily large or overly complex addition.”