1

W H Bonney

Crazy…

Recreation want more sports facilities, but the IDC want to keep agricultural land that is unused…

This was used as a football pitch for years & not it cant be??

Does the left hand actually know what the right hand is doing in the states??

Report abuse

3

Smudger

Sport is huge on this island and plays a big role in maintaining a fit and healthy population, which saves the taxpayer money.

Unfortunately, the growth in popularity of outdoor sport has not been matched by the addition of additional facilities. The demand is there, but the supply isn’t. When was the last time the States of Guernsey spent a substantial capital sum on creating a new outdoor sports facility? I certainly can’t remember, but I guess probably upgrading Footes Lane (ie an existing facility, not an additional one). I suppose you could say the new pitches at St Sampsons High, but sports facilities are an essential part of any new school, and the new school facilities are offset by the loss of those at St Peter Port school.

Clubs and associations are not begging for States’ funding for new facilities (although it wouldn’t be rejected!), as they are prepared to fund developments through taking on loans, usually guaranteed by members. Raising the money should be the hard part, but it usually isn’t because of the existence of benefactors. No, the hard part is in getting planning permission for change of use, which money simply cannot buy.

Take a diagonal straight line from the KGV to Blanche Pierre Lane, an area covering roughly 60% of the island’s land mass by my reckoning. How many outdoor sports fields (excluding primary school grounds not suitable for adult sport) are in that land area? TWO ! The Sylvans pitch and the Rangers pitch at St Andrews. And both clubs have found it impossible to extend those venues. That simply isn’t good enough.

Flat field after flat field, no longer used for agriculture, abound in this area, and will never be used for housing. Ditto numerous derelict vineries. Dead land, ready to be used by the sporting population. Fields galore below the flight path north of the Forest Road (near the Chemin du Roi equestrian facility) would be absolutely perfect for sensitive sports development (albeit probably without full floodlights for airport safety reasons). Why not ? Even if the right venue is found, some UK-imported jobsworth at Environment will reject an application to build changing rooms or a clubhouse or a small stand – all essential elements of any decent sports ground, even though a farm invariably has barns and outbuildings and a vinery includes structural buildings. States and Environment – wake up to the 21st century. You have an obligation to provide appropriate recreational facilities for the island. Keeping unwanted and useless fields as they are serves no purpose. I’m not advocating reckless development or anything unsensitive, just identification of a couple of suitable areas which could cater for the island’s additional sporting needs for the next couple of decades.

The island punches above its weight in so many sports, outdoor and indoor, and the Sports Commission, through States Culture & Leisure, does a brilliant job in helping sports to develop. But at the top of the pyramid it all gets held back due to planning constraints, rather than by demand or by money.

Its high time that this is finally recognised and addressed.

Report abuse

5

W H Bonney

I love it when people say that Rangers should find another place to build… Look at the pocket of land they are looking to develop – it has previously been a football pitch, it is sheltered & hidden behind a digger yard… The facility would see a community centre for the parish & a sports venue to share with a school – is there really anywhere better?!

The trouble is the States will only allow permission to build on non-agricultural land – well guess what – if you can build on land the size of a football pitch, then who in their right mind would build a football facility when you could build 15 houses?!

Something has to give…

Report abuse

7

W H Bonney

Rangers are wieghing up the options at the moment before deciding on the next step…

The main points that should be pointed out are as follows:

- The plans submitted were in principle & completely subject to change.
- Contrary to todays Press report (4/5/10), Rangers were looking to develop a small unused part of the land – the rest of it would remain untouched… The piece in question is the overgrown bit behind the digger yard & sheds.
- Rangers have been looking for almost 20 years now – this is literally one of the last spaces like it in the island.
- Culture & Leisure’s report says more sports facilities are needed, but IDC say it has to remain an unused overgrown field.
- The facility would benefit the community as a whole.

As a club, Rangers feel we have represented the community at every possible opportunity. We made the front page of the Press when we backed the ‘Save Our School’ campaign, the Premiership trophy was brought over with the proceed going to Les Bourgs Hospice (a St Andrews charity) & as a club we offer free football to everyone under 18 – something no other club does…

The plans that were submitted this time around were much smaller then 3 years ago, & had more then 2 people attended the open meeting to show off the plans, then maybe people would have understood them bit more…

Report abuse

9

Farmer

The Field is used by a farmer for has dairy cows. i wish people put the right facts.

Report abuse