COORS APPLICATION
The Coors application for housing on our ground was refused in December 2007. They have now appealed against that refusal. A decision on that appeal will come after a public enquiry by the planning inspectorate in the autumn. Obviously, we have made our views known to the Inspector and requested to speak at the forthcoming public inquiry.
Coors have now lodged a new planning application which addresses most of the reasons for refusal of the application that has gone to appeal. It does NOT however, address the provision of a replacement stadium for our current home. Their 'solution' is to make a financial contribution towards upgrading the Alton United stadium in Anstey Park to something approaching Wessex League standards.
Apart from the fact that their suggested contribution is inadequate, their detail is vague and likely to encounter legal and planning difficulties. And of course, Alton United have the lease on that stadium and quite rightly, aren't about to surrender it. In addition we are not allowed to ground share in the Wessex League.
It is therefore, a 'solution' that fails to solve the issue of providing a replacement stadium but unless we get plenty of objections (by 27th August) it just could get nodded through on the basis that Coors are prepared to pay for the capital costs of an Artificial Turf Pitch at Eggar's School that would be available for community use after school time - and they are saying 'have that ATP instead of a replacement stadium'.
Please click HERE to submit your objection online. Something like:
'The sports facilities on the Bass site all have to be replaced at least like-for-like in accordance with PIG before there is any consideration of adding extra value or facilities for the community'.
or
'Despite what Sport England might say to the contrary, there is no justification for the applicant to be allowed to abdicate their responsibilities in providing full and proper replacement sports facilities for those currently on the application site'.
or
'The Bass football stadium has not one but two pitches. The applicant's vague offer to upgrade the Anstey Park stadium with its one pitch is, therefore, inadequate. Furthermore the proposed provision of an ATP at Eggar's would result in the loss of a sports field at the school. A net loss of three grass pitches for one ATP which would only be available to the wider community during out of school hours. Not a good deal for anyone!'.
Jim McKell
Alton Town Football Club Chairman
