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Agenda item
Urgency - Potential Development of Football Stadium and Sports Facilities at Tilekiln
Minutes:
Simon Hubbard, Director of Operational Services presented a report on a Potential Development of a Football Stadium and Sports Facilities at Tilekiln. The purpose of the report was to propose agreement in principle for the sale of land at Pilot Field (currently occupied by Hastings United Football Club), Hastings United Football Club Sports & Social Club and a long lease for the Tilekiln Recreation Ground. The purpose of this is to provide a new stadium, gym facilities, sports pitches and housing. It is likely the land at Pilot Field and the Social Club site will need to be sold at below best value.
In December 2017, the Cabinet and Council agreed that authority be given to officers in consultation with the Leader of the Council to sell the freehold of Hastings United Football Ground, Hastings United Sports and Social Club, a 999 lease at Bulverhythe and the freehold of the lower tier at Bexhill Road Recreation Ground. The purpose of this was to enable developers to bring forward planning proposals for a new stadium for Hastings United Football Club (HUFC), new sports pitches and facilities, and housing development. It was agreed that the site could be sold at below best value because of the social health and other benefits of the scheme.
This scheme was proposed by HUFC, The Horntye Trust, Bohemia LLP (a company set up to deliver the scheme) and was founded upon the delivery of the scheme by Keepmoat Ltd, a major housing and regeneration company.
Keepmoat withdrew from the scheme, citing the ending of another scheme in the South East making it difficult for a midlands/northern based firm to efficiently deliver in Hastings. It is likely that dealing with a Rother planning application in addition to those in Hastings posed an additional risk as did the potential flooding issues.
HUFC have now come forward with a smaller scheme which envisages the construction of a 1950 capacity stadium at Tilekiln Recreation Ground in Hollington. The design would allow space for expansion if the Club were to move up the Leagues where larger capacity would be required. Three football pitches are envisaged:
1) A grass pitch within the stadium which would be for club use.
2) A 3G pitch
3) A grass pitch
A 3G pitch can accommodate many more matches (which are often limited to 2 a week on grass) and taken with floodlighting represents a potential increase in the level of football that can be played.
It is believed that an improved stadium is likely to enable the club to improve its competitive status and (subject to seeing a revised business plan) provide the local club with financial stability.
The Council will expect HUFC to involve the FA and other relevant key stakeholders in the development of the football development plans to ensure that the facilities are genuinely accessible to local teams and community (including affordable pricing and a balanced community programme, as well as the inclusion of groups such as the disabled, youth and women). This would be a condition of the completion of the sale of Pilot Field.
Councillor Chowney proposed the recommendations, which was seconded by Councillor Fitzgerald.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that:
1. To authorise the Director of Operational Services (or his nominee) to work with the Assistant Director Financial Services & Revenues, Estates Manager and Chief Legal Officer to seek suitable terms for the disposal of the land listed in this report in consultation with the Leader of the Council.
2. That any disposal be subject to:
• Agreement on land values.
• The safeguarding of the council’s position by the use of an options agreement, bond or other mechanism to ensure the delivery of agreed sports facilities.
• The agreement of an open book policy and the use of any funds generated
by house development over the costs of developing and delivering the new sports facilities.
• Agreement of a programme of community development and access to the new facilities which details plans for the development of activity for young people of education age, female football and disability football.
• Support of the Football Association and Sport England.
• Informal use of the football facilities as well as organised competition and activity.
• Consideration of comments made from consultation with sporting bodies, local football clubs, councillors for Hollington Ward and the local community.
3. That a further report recommending the details of such a disposal be brought to Cabinet and Council as quickly as possible
The reason for these recommendations was:
The proposal has health and leisure benefits, should secure the future of Hastings
United Football Club (HUFC) and provide additional housing required to help achieve our Local Plan targets. The Council should approach this on the basis of creating a new partnership with HUFC which will yield substantial benefits in terms of enhanced participation in football and other activities.
Supporting documents:
- Potential Development of Football Stadium and Sports Facilities at Tilekiln - Cabinet 05112018, item 115. PDF 128 KB
- Appdx 1A Pilot Field Map, item 115. PDF 181 KB
- Appdx 1B Tilekiln Map, item 115. PDF 165 KB
- Appdx 2 - Cabinet 5 Nov 18 - Potential Football Stadium, item 115. PDF 40 KB
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