"Green light" for some of the best facilities in the region

Reports in today's Comet suggest that its all go for the expansion of the club. NHDC planning officer Simon Ellis is reported as saying:

"There is not a sufficiently robust case to refuse planning permission for the expansion of pitch sport facilities on this site in policy terms. In my view the Rugby Football Union and Sport England have demonstrated that the two clubs who presently occupy this site have a growing membership and therefore have a genuine need to expand. The proposed development is an appropriate development in the Green Belt in that it represents essential facilities for outdoor sport and recreation."

As you will have seen from the plans on the club noticeboard, this will give us three new playing pitches, along with training areas, and - in the long run - a new clubhouse. Plans also foresee the levelling of the main pitch and the creation of an all weather pitch where the current second pitch is (share with Letchworth Eagles) along with improved floodlighting (admittedly that would not be too difficult!).

The only major objection seems to have come from 38 residents in Quinn Way and Schoolfields (behind the current Hertfordshire football ground) who fear "foul language, loudspeakers and air horns on match days". I did wonder if they had any of our players in mind (or coaches), but seriously you do have to have concerns about people who buy houses next to sports fields and then complain about people using them... (Sigh).

A more positive response comes from Heritage Foundation director Marilyn Hands who said that:

"The aim is to cater for the increased membership at the two clubs, by providing a high quality floodlit training area, three new full-size rugby pitches, two mini rugby pitches, two additional junior football pitches, extra car parking facilities and improved access via Legends Lane."

She also confirmed that the farmland has not been used in recent times.

The only downside is that it will be a while before anyone can look forward to running out on the new pitches. "The proposals are at a relatively early stage", said Marilyn, "and the funding and costs details have still to be finalised, as is the possibility of grant assistance for the scheme by the Rugby Football Union and Sport England."

So - a while to go yet, but a good start.