Councillors have approved Poole Town Football Club’s proposal for Branksome Recreation ground.
A proposal to relocate Poole Town FC from its current home at Tatnam Park to Branksome Rec was considered at a meeting of the council on Tuesday 9 June 2009.
Following a debate of the issues, councillors voted to approve the proposal.
Poole Town FC’s proposal includes:
- Refurbishment and modernisation of the Branksome Rec pavilion, including men’s and women’s changing facilities
- Improved social function facilities, including lift access to the first floor
- A new home for the football club with a seated stand for 150 people.
- One enclosed football pitch and three new all-weather, multi-use games areas available for use by local schools and the community
- Refurbished public amenities
The football club and external grant funding would fund the proposal, with the council also prepared to consider an application for developer contribution funding for elements with a community benefit, such as the multi-use games areas.
Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Borough of Poole, said: “Poole Town’s proposal has provoked a great detail of public interest and discussion and it was important that councillors were able to conduct a proper debate of the issues.
“The football club already does an excellent job running several football teams for many young people in our community. I firmly believe this proposal not only gives the club a chance to develop this work further, but offers an excellent opportunity to gain other community benefits and much-needed improvements to facilities at Branksome Rec at no additional cost to the council taxpayer.”
Poole Town FC’s proposal will be subject to planning permission and agreement with the council on a detailed lease.
The council’s agreement to a lease for the space and the enclosure of a pitch would also be subject to several conditions to ensure a significant and enhanced community benefit for all the people of Poole. Any lease would be tightly controlled in the terms and conditions of a legal agreement.
