Sign up for our free email newsletter to get a review of the biggest headlines as well as the latest news.
We have newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletter to get a review of the biggest headlines as well as the latest news.
We have newsletters
A Surrey football club is at risk of reaching the final if plans to build a new ground do not come to fruition, the club said.
Football club Ashford Town (FC) could be in “jeopardy” if plans for the new pitch next to an oil well fail over protection concerns.
The club has submitted an application for a synthetic turf pitch at its Robert Parker Stadium, but the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has raised concerns as it would increase the number of people on the pitch and could create a growing threat. for public safety.
The stadium is located next to the Esso West London oil terminal, a large-scale petrol garage, in an area of hazardous ingredients.
Paul Gully, the club’s vice-president, said: “A lot of progress has been made in the field of 3G because it generates a lot more revenue. This will allow us to secure the future of the club and expand it. It’s been a dark cloud over the club for next year.
Due to the quality and condition of the existing turf pitch, players can only use it for a limited time each week and are affected by poor weather conditions.
Paul added: “The concept is that more people would use it because we want to turn the club into a business. Faced with limited funding, the club struggled to make the most of the venue and build the gates for the crowd. The proposal The club needs to expand the women’s team, which plays in a higher position than the men’s, and create more youth women’s teams.
But the HSE believes that increasing land use over an extended period would increase the number of people visiting a site adjacent to hazardous substances. A twist of fate at an oil terminal can lead to out-of-control spills, fires, and explosions that can harm human life and the environment.
In the face of the HSE’s objection, officials “do not believe the benefits of the proposals outweigh the drawbacks,” the Spelthorne City Council’s calendar reads.
Paul explained that the president, Nick Bailey, has poured a lot of cash into the task in recent years and that he is reaching a point where those who already supported him in this task may no longer be able to do so. . Paul said he understood the HSE’s considerations and had a smart relationship with Esso.
The HSE has an advisory role and does not have the power to order the refusal of building permits or the authorisation of hazardous substances.
If the Spelthorne Planning Committee approves the application, the council must notify the HSE 21 days in advance if it merits asking the Secretary of State to make its own decision on the application. The Spelthorne Council will vote on the proposal on March 7.
UPDATE: This release has been since then: READ THE FULL STORY HERE.