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City welcome news of 'Football Hub'

- 01/03/2010

The club has welcomed the news that a consultants report to Canterbury City Council has concluded that out of twenty three sites reviewed Ridlands Farm remains the preferred location for the 'Football Hub', which will be our future home.

Should the development go through the Local Plan, the likelihood is that the 'Hub' will consist of a home ground for the club, an artificial pitch and some other pitches, also probably a children's play area. However, the council has yet to decide whether the 'Hub' should go through the existing Local Plan or be incorporated in the Local Development Plan, which could delay the project by at least five years.

THIS IS THE STATEMENT FROM THE COUNCIL:-

"The report, by Capita Symonds, concludes that Ridlands Farm, which had been identified as the best site in a previous study, remains the preferred location out of 23 that were reviewed. It also suggests five different development options, with costs ranging from 1.36 million pounds to 4.48 million pounds.

A variety of reasons why Ridlands Farm is recommended are outlined. These include its proximity to a number of schools, the Kent and Canterbury Hospital and several other established sports clubs, its designation in the Canterbury Local Plan as public playing fields and the fact it is in city council ownership, meaning no land purchase is required.

The five development options range from providing facilities for Canterbury City Football Club to either Kent or Ryman League standard only (options 1 and 1a), to a much bigger operation that would see a health and fitness centre and commercial five-a-side pitches (option four).

Capita Symonds has identified options two to four as being potentially deliverable from a financial point of view, with option four the most financially sustainable as it offers commercial facilities that meet identified demand.

At this stage, though, option two is more immediately deliverable within existing planning policy. It provides a home for Canterbury City Football Club, an artificial pitch and a range of informal pitches, with the opportunity for community facilities such as children's play areas, subject to local need and funding.

While option two can be delivered through the existing Local Plan, an alternative way to go about it would be through the Local Development Framework, which is currently subject to public consultation. This will give greater planning certainty, but could put the project back by at least five years.

The report will be discussed by the Canterbury Area Member Panel on Monday 8 March, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 17 March and the Executive in April.
It will then be subject to public consultation with local residents and other interested groups before any final decision is made regarding the site for the hub and the mix of facilities it will offer.

To read the Capita Symonds report and the accompanying council report for the forthcoming committee meetings, go to www.canterbury.gov.uk, click on the committee meetings link and find the Canterbury Area Member Panel meeting for Monday 8 March on the calendar".

CITY'S CHAIRMAN PHIL KNIGHT ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:-

"Canterbury City FC welcomes the Capita Symonds report into the feasibility of re-establishing a permanent home for senior football within the city. This facility will provide a home for many of the club’s adult and junior teams and will be a much needed base for the continuation of the club's community development programme.

Whilst the precise location of the football facility is for others to confirm, the Club is keen to work closely with all prospective neighbours to ensure that the venue becomes a real asset for the local population. The Club welcomes the council's announcement that they favour a reduced project that provides a smaller mix of football facilities and open community space.

Canterbury City FC has enjoyed great success on and off the pitch over the past two seasons; winning a number of trophies across its numerous teams. This has been coupled with a visionary development programme that has provided participation in the game for those typically excluded from it, such as the disabled and those in vulnerable accommodation.

Delivering such success without a permanent base has been far from easy for the club which currently uses over a dozen separate venues for training and matches. This has put considerable pressure on players, coaches, parents and carers and has placed a huge financial burden upon the entire operation. Whilst the club has been able to 'make-do' for the past three years there is understandably a real desire to return to a bespoke base at the earliest possible opportunity.

The club is therefore keen to continue to work with the city council and all other stakeholders to assist in the delivery of a community football facility that can be a real asset to the entire district. Canterbury deserves nothing less".