News archive

News update 20/06/18

Reply to formal complaint from West Berks Council

[letter from WBC chief exec Nick Carter to NCFG Chair Paul Morgan 20/06/18]

Please see attached a copy of the letter which fails to address most of the complaints! – here

News update 05/06/18

Formal Complaint from NCFG with respect to the Faraday Road Football Ground and Stadium

[email sent by NCFG Chair Paul Morgan 04/06/18, acknowledged receipt “C/2018/101- Morgan” 05/06/18]

For the attention of the Complaints Team, West Berkshire Council

Please find attached a copy of a complaint submitted on behalf of Newbury Community Football Group (NCFG) – here

Please can you confirm receipt and direct all correspondence through Paul Morgan – Chair of NCFG

Thank you

News update 30/05/18

Newbury’s Football Stadium – Breach of Core Polices by WBC

[an email sent to all West Berks councillors and their CEO]

Dear Councillor,

It’s become quite apparent over the last few months that there is still a lack of understanding by many of West Berkshire’s Councillors of the fact that Newbury’s Football Stadium is actually protected by West Berkshire Council’s own Core Policies (see below). Also that the Council has an obligation to maintain community access to the ground.

The decision to evict an operator (Newbury FC) who were not only paying rent to you but have been paying all the utility bills, maintenance costs and insurance too and for West Berks to take on the costs and management overhead, is a strange one for sure and one that can not be in the public interest.

However, to give you a very quick overview of the Stadium and why it is an important asset to our community, I would ask you to watch this short film we made when we started our engagement with the Council in 2016. It would take less than 4 minutes to watch and listen and we would love to hear what you think of it, please spare us 4 minutes of your time.

Click here

And here’s a story from the local newspaper just last week about the type of community event which is being refused by yourselves from June.

Click here

14.1.Area Delivery Plan Policy 2 (ADPP2):

“Existing community facilities will be protected and, where appropriate, enhanced. These include leisure and cultural facilities, which contribute to the attraction of the town for both residents and visitors.”

West Berkshire Council’s interactive map identifies Newbury Football Ground as a cultural facility.

Local Planning Policy CS.18 as a vital part of Green Infrastructure in West Berkshire

The Policy is unambiguous “the district’s Green Infrastructure will be protected and enhanced” and “Developments resulting in the loss of green infrastructure or harm to its use or enjoyment by the public will not be permitted”. Paragraph 5.129 names Newbury Football Grounds as part of West Berks’ Green Infrastructure and sporting provision: “sports clubs with good facilities such as Newbury Rugby Club, Newbury Town, Thatcham Town and Hungerford Town Football Clubs.

Lee McDougall (Press and Communications Manager – NCFG)

News update 23/05/18

West Berks Council has stated they need to conduct a site survey of the ground over the summer before they can allow community bookings, so our teams cannot book pre-season training, nor confirm with the leagues their home pitches for the 2018-19 season.

News update 15/05/18

West Berks Council replied to our letter and said it was going to operate Newbury Football Ground directly for the use of community groups until the site’s redevelopment process commences. We await more details…

News update 10/05/18

Last night Newbury Town Council members decided at their planning meeting that they would not approve our proposed artificial pitches (part 1 of the application) at Newbury Football Ground because of parking and traffic concerns. Parking and traffic are actually incorporated in part 2 (buildings) which is being held up by West Berks Council! NCFG therefore will have to present to town council members again when/if WBC releases the missing section for NTC approval.
Newbury Today report here

News update 07/05/18

In light of Newbury Town Council’s resfusal to pick up West Berks Council’s offer to run Newbury Football Ground, NCFG has offered to run it. A letter has been sent to WBC.

“After Newbury Town Council declined the invitation to lease the ground from West Berkshire Council last week, I am delighted to inform you that NCFG (Newbury Community Football Group) are willing to take on this responsibility on exactly the same terms offered to Newbury Town Council.

We will ensure that the Ground is made a available to the whole community and will discharge WBC from any over-head in terms of its running costs or maintenance.”

News update 04/05/18

On 24 April West Berks Council offered Newbury Town Council the opportunity to run Newbury Football Ground for a further period after the current lease expires on 24 June. Within a few days the town council had rejected the idea in private without any public consultation!

You can see Newbury Weekly News’ version of events here