Astroturf for All pitch gets the go-ahead

BROMSGROVE District Council gave the green light for the town’s first ever all-weather astroturf to be built following a 13 to one majority vote at a meeting of the planning committee on Monday (April 30).

The vote means delegated powers will be granted to the head of planning and regeneration services to determine the application.

Concerns were raised about the effect of lighting levels on a nearby cottage and highway from one of the eight 16m floodlights. However, councillors and residents were assured that conditions, attached to the application, would ensure that the lighting was minimal and, where needed, the cottage would be screened from it.

It is estimated the project, the subject of the Astroturf For All campaign, will cost £450,000, excluding VAT, and the club needs to raise £250,000 of that.

It will be located at Bromsgrove Cricket, Tennis and Hockey Club (BTHC) on St Godwalds Road.

Club secretary Lorraine Aspland said she was pleased with the decision.

“We will now be working closely with the council planning department to ensure that all the conditions are met to limit the impact on the area whist gaining the most benefit for the community.”

Bromsgrove Hockey Club will benefit from the 102m by 63m pitch because at the moment the team plays its home games in Redditch and has to train at Bromsgrove School. Other sports, such as football, will also be played on the astroturf which, many members of the committee said, would be a great asset to the town.

Now the BTHC face a fight to raise the funds for the project to go ahead. Around half of the money is expected to come from national funding but the club must stump up the other half itself.

Its next fund-raiser is will a summer fete on June 15 at the club.

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