Football club 'split by canal' gets result in bid to expand ground

A Gloucestershire football club’s ambitions to expand have been given the go-ahead. Newent Town AFC and Social Club secured a win in Coleford today as the Forest of Dean District Council approved plans to build new changing rooms, a fitness room and create two youth pitches behind their current ground just off the B4215 Gloucester Road in Malswick.

The scheme which includes the creation of a new area of hardstanding next to the existing access to what was a former agricultural field in Hook’s Lane was debated at by the development management committee. Currently the club has a first team pitch, with a stand and flood lights at the ground along with a clubhouse and changing rooms and a parking area.

The club says it has expanded its demographic to women’s football and youth teams. And as such wants to develop the field to the rear of the ground which was used for the grazing of sheep.

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Matt Tompkins, who spoke as the agent on behalf of the football club, called on the committee to approve the plans and “help the club to grow and provide for the community”. He said Newent Town AFC had recently taken on the youth teams of the now defunct Gorsley Football Club.

“It is important that the club provides a place where previous members at Gorsley can continue to play,” he said. “It also provides teams for young people in Newent itself. The club now provides for a first team, reserve team, ladies team and 11 youths teams.

“The pitches are required for youth games. The proposed building would provide associated changing rooms, a gym and general storage.”

He said there would be no change to parking arrangements near the clubhouse. The Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust initially objected to the scheme and requested alterations to accommodate the reinstatement of the canal route across the site.

They withdrew their objection after the plans were amended. Officers recommended approving the scheme which was endorsed at the meeting by both Newent and Taynton District Councillors Gill Moseley (LD) and Julia Gooch (Progressive Independents).

Councillor Richard Burton (G, Newnham) proposed granting permission and this was seconded by Cllr Simon Phelps (I, Westbury-on-Severn). “This is for the provision of a valuable facility for youngsters which I think we should fully support,” he said.

“It’s surprising that there are so many youth teams interested in using this facility. It must be, probably, a unique situation where you have a football club divided by a canal - there can’t be many others with this distinction.”

Chairman Dave Wheeler (G, Newland and Sling) joked that when the canal is restored the best form of transport to the club will be by barge. The committee voted unanimously to approve the scheme.