ManOfSussex
We wunt be druv
Interesting and welcome, if it ever happens, particularly to those of us in the Hastings/Bexhill area.
http://www.hastingsunited.com/news/hufc-future-plans--update--outline
http://www.hastingsunited.com/news/hufc-future-plans--update--outline
Hastings United FC is pleased to announce in the public domain, as can also be seen in today’s Hastings & St. Leonards Observer, its plans for future relocation to a new purpose build football stadium at Combe Valley which would form the centre point building for a sustainable sports village which would also cater for cricket, hockey, rugby, American football, netball, tennis, and petanque. There is also a sports hall proposed and a gym for sports and fitness and healthy living activities.
The project will bring £70M of new investment into Hastings & St. Leonards, made up of £58M housing and £12M sports facilities, and has been put together by Burney Group & Sherlock Consultancy along with a UK top 10 Housebuilder in Keepmoat Homes.
The scheme is a culmination of 18 months of work that has involved Hastings United FC, its Partners and the Trustees of Horntye Park Sports Complex, which will also relocate to the sports village if approval is given to them by the Charity Commissioners and Sport England.
Hastings Borough Council have been kept collaboratively in the loop as plans have been developed however, the club wishes to make it clear that the Council’s Officers, Cabinet or indeed Councillors themselves have not yet in any way given the green light for the project to proceed. The process for this to occur is ongoing as are discussions with Rother District Council who are the planning authority for the proposed sports village on a site at Combe Valley owned by Hastings Borough Council.
In the main picture is shown the currently proposed layout plan and facilities likely for the sports village:
Hastings United FC believe the project is the largest sports related scheme the Borough of Hastings will have ever seen or is likely to see. The project is intended to produce increased participation in sport via improved facilities for all which will result in healthy living outcomes and savings to the NHS. A substantial amount of new homes will be developed and there will be economic, social and community benefits arising plus inward investment and vitality at no cost to Hastings Borough Council or the public purse.
The club believe there will be plenty of community gains arising from the sports village these including easier travel access, increased cross fertilisation of sports, community access to sport from a wider catchment area and more benefit for disabled and disadvantaged groups. There will also be no adverse impacts to existing facilities.
The sports village project in addition to the sports facilities would also be expected to produce such as the following measurable benefits:
- £70M investment in the Hastings area.
- Residential developments to assist with housing needs.
- Construction jobs over the period of implementation.
- Sports village operational jobs.
- Leisure and wellbeing benefits.
- Health benefits from increased leisure activity.
- Fiscal benefits to Hastings Borough Council.
- Implementation of flood mitigation measures at Combe Valley.
The next step is for the club and its partners to finalise on the way forward with Hastings Borough Council and Rother District Council and submit a Planning Application early in 2017.
The club & its Partners are targeting a 2018 completion for the commencement of the 2018/19 season.
The club looks forward to discussing its plans with its supporters at a meeting that has been previously announced to take place at the Pilot Field clubhouse at 7.30pm on Thursday 10th November 2016.
Board of Directors,
Hastings United FC