Hockey plans edge nearer (December 2007)

Plans for an all weather hockey pitch on BHASVIC field has been given the go-ahead by the Tory City Council but Goldsmid Labour councillor Melanie Davis has vowed to ensure access and environmental issues are addressed.

"Feelings are running high in the local community about this proposal," explains Cllr Davis. "I will ensure as a member of Environment Committee that promises about access and green issues are kept. I have looked at the planning details and the conditions for landscaping, greening and limits on floodlighting are pretty strict."

Local residents and councillors opposed the plans because of restrictions on the use of the fields by other local schools and because of the loss of playing fields which have been used by the local community for recreation.

Planning permission was granted over a year ago, but restrictions have been imposed to limit the impact and ensure good quality access by local schools to both the hockey pitch and fields.

Now Brighton and Hove City Council has granted its consent as an education authority for the plans to go ahead. The following is an extract from the report which went to the Children, Families and Schools Committee on 5 November:

"Brighton and Hove Hockey Club have been granted searching for a site on which to provide two all weather hockey pitches for some considerable time but with no success. The club approached the head teacher of Cardinal Newman School and together they have developed a proposal for two all weather pitches (one sand based and one sand dressed) with associated floodlighting, emergency access, car parking and pavilion. The main function of the pavilion is to provide changing facilities and toilets, although it will also provide a social function for the club and other users of the all weather pitches. The design of the pavilion is such that it is partially sunk into the ground meaning that the roof will be able to be used as a spectator area.

"Brighton and Hove Hockey Club are one of the oldest in the country having been founded in 1896. It has over 300 members, including a thriving junior section, 9 men’s teams, 7 women’s teams and a range of youth and children’s teams. They are a ‘not for profit’ organisation and it is not their intention to make a profit from commercial sports schemes.

"The club and school submitted a joint planning application on 25th March 2006 and were granted planning consent for the proposal on 19th July 2006. The Children and Young Peoples Trust supported the planning application in principle, believing that the proposal will enhance the sporting facilities for the schools which currently make use of the playing fields as well as for the city of Brighton and Hove as a whole. "

For further information please email melanie.davis@brighton-hove.gov.uk.