Club’s bid for new 3G pitch

A town could be set to net a new floodlit 3G football pitch.

Holbeach United Community Sports Academy is looking to add the all-weather football pitch to its Penny Hill site.

In documentation supplied with the planning application to South Holland District Council, the club says it will replace an existing grass pitch for its currently 18 affiliated teams to play on, particularly in the winter months.

It will also have six, 15-metre high floodlights.

“The proposed Community 3G Football Turf Pitch (FTP) will accommodate enhanced and increased football activities and will help to reduce the stress and wear when inclement and winter weather conditions could render the current grass football pitches unplayable,” the application states. “Once implemented; the new facility will be appropriate in its location.

“The proposed development will enhance the performance quality and maximise the benefits of this sporting amenity, whereby the development has no adverse visual impact or impact on local and residential amenities or the surrounding environment.

“Holbeach United CSA wish to develop their facilities to provide better opportunities for their football teams and for local community groups to continue to access high quality facilities for football activities.

“The proposed FTP will complement the existing local football facilities, and together, will be promoted as a hub of the local community.”

The documents include proposed opening times of 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm at weekends.

There have been calls for more parking on the site from the likes of Holbeach Parish Council and district and county councillor Nick Worth.

“Already cars are blocking driveways in Ashburton Close and Highbury Way as well as parking on the side of the road on Penny Hill,” he said. “I have had numerous complaints as the ward member about this already with the existing pitch provision.

“While it will be good to have another 3G pitch in Holbeach it will undoubtedly generate more usage and therefore cause more issues for local residents unless they provide more parking spaces on site.

“There is room between the existing car park and the proposed 3G pitch.”

The application is due to be decided by the district council in the next few weeks.

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