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Leamington new ground situation
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Some potential progress on the long running saga of the Leamington FC community stadium:
Next Wednesday 4th June, Warwick District Council's Cabinet are discussing the authority's new CIL* Projects List. The draft for approval contains funding of £5m from financial year 2027/28 onwards.
The CIL funding is one of the expected funding streams for the stadium project, but approving the list does not itself give the green light for the project. A future report to Cabinet should be submitted with more detailed information about the scheme, at which point the Cabinet would decide whether to go ahead. The club's shareholders would also need to vote to agree the club's involvement, including the sale of the club's current New Windmill Ground.
Should the above all be approved there is also the matter of planning permission for the stadium. The stadium has outline planning permission as part of the surrounding residential and commercial development, much of which is already built, but still requires a detailed "reserved matters" planning application and approval. This may be more tricky than envisaged when the stadium project was first proposed, as there are now neighbouring homes.
The timescales for all of the above aren't clear from the publicly available documents, so my guess would be as good as anyone's as to when a spade might hit the ground, but approval of the CIL projects list on Wednesday would put one piece of this complicated puzzle in place. This is the most progress I've seen in about 6 years, so some faint optimism is starting to creep in. Fingers crossed the Brakes could be moving closer to civilization.
* Community Infrastructure Levy - this is funding for community projects paid for by developers through the planning process.
How much of this could be relevant to our situation or how much further along they actually are than us i have no idea .
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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The big big problem for Nuneaton is WHERE? (can of worms open).
I honestly can see only one potential site
>>>> Former Nuneaton Boro fan <<<<
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Tomkinson rd Rec- easy big enough - will need to euthanise the locals to get planning over the line ;)
If only 40 years ago when more post industrial land available - Most now developed or earmarked.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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IMO, it is crucial that NBBC offer NTFC a site to rent, that can be developed in partnership.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Why in partnership ????
I'm guessing given our past the council wouldn't want to spend a penny on a football club , that's if they had any money. The councils broke, services are at bare bones and are either having huge cuts or being abolished altogether.
I'd like to know how many in the town would want a football club or local services? Answers on a postcard please
Edited by Lord of the Manor at 19:37:11 on 2nd June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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I understand that it is generally accepted that more artificial pitches are needed for Community use.
Those facilities will need to be managed.
NTFC CIC could provide that service & also benefit from using those facilities, in partnership with NBBC.
I would suggest that if it is not NTFC CIC operating in that role, then some other management company would possibly be invited to fulfill that role, so why not use the new Club?
That would also present the opportunity to further develop such a facility, into a new Stadium complex.
Just my thoughts!
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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I believe two schools in the area are getting artificial pitches in the next 2 years.
>>>> Former Nuneaton Boro fan <<<<
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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I M O ....
It won't happen ..... they might look at land for us but as for the money ..... the councils broke..... even the stall holders in what used to be one of the best and biggest town markets in the country now have to pay for, and erect, there own stalls....
We're one of the most deprived Towns in the country, town centres fucked, roads fucked, parks are fucked, no ( very few ) youth clubs, kids running riot, police don't respond even to what looked like a child abduction a few months back ....
And you think there going to stump up funds for a facility only a few will use...
Edited by Lord of the Manor at 20:10:12 on 2nd June 2025
Edited by Lord of the Manor at 20:10:43 on 2nd June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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The Oval is a Community use success story.
We need to replicate that in Nuneaton.
There is money for sports use set aside, that has been provided for Sports, Recreation & Community use, provided through S106 Agreements with the house builders in the Borough.
They are defined sums for specific useages.
Gala Field will have such a facility, I am convinced of that, it is probably the most valuable/prime sporting site in the town, that (IMO) could hold its own under Planning scrutiny.
Liberty Way, even though it is privately owned, could provide another more expansive partnership opportunity.
There is no reason to be downhearted LotM.
However, these developments take time to come to fruition, many years.
The immediate task for the new Club is to concentrate on staying at The Oval for the foreseeable future.
Edited by VoR at 20:24:23 on 2nd June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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For the record, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council do not raise money from Developers by way of a Community Infrastructure Levy, they do not have a Policy in place for a CIL.
Instead, they prefer to raise money from Developers by way of a Section 106 Agreement, which ensures financial contributions are made under a number of headings.
As a new Stadium Developer, this is something that NTFC CIC will have to raise with NBBC.
Will the new Club be expected to make a S106 contribution, in consideration for a satisfactory Planning Permission?
On the flip side, will NBBC be prepared to fund a part of the new Stadium development cost by using some of the funds from their S106 pot, if the new Stadium is built on Council owned land?
So, there are two sides to this coin!
Just my thoughts!
Edit:
When an Outline Planning Permission is granted, there will be a very long list of Reserved Matters that need to be discharged during the Planning process, leading eventually to a full Planning Permission.
Obtaining an Outline Planning Permission is an encouraging first step & is the route that, IMO, NTFC CIC should follow...
Also, a S106 Agreement is a very secure method of obtaining the contributions they require, because it involves many consultations with the different parties to the Agreement.
Edited by VoR at 17:05:04 on 1st June 2025
Edited by VoR at 17:13:28 on 1st June 2025
Edited by VoR at 17:17:17 on 1st June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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A retired town planner says:
CIL contributions are a fixed tariff (a development tax, really) that can be used to fund anything in an agreed list of infrastructure projects, which is updated annually.
S106 contributions are more flexible, often used as a bargaining tool, but must be: i) necessary to allow the application to be permitted; ii) directly related to the development; and iii) ‘fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the development to be permitted’.
Consequently, whereas CIL contributions collected from developments anywhere in the Borough could potentially be used to fund the construction of a football stadium (provided it appeared on the Council’s approved list of CIL projects), S106 financial contributions are not able to be used in that way, because of the legal tests set out in the legislation.
So, CIL policy would need to adopted by N&BBC, and a football stadium included in the list of CIL projects, before there is any realistic hope of money received from planning ‘gain’ being directed toward the the construction of a new home for Boro/Town in Nuneaton.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Cheers Stalwart , good explanation .
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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If you check out the NBBC website, you will see that NBBC do not have an agreed policy in place for a CIL.
They are receiving S106 contributions from Developers under any numbers of headings, including improvements throughout the Borough for sports facilities.
Eg. A S106 contribution raised on a housing site in the East of the town, could be used to enhance sports facilities in the North of the town.
Edit:
Bargaining tool is the operative word.
There has to be a commercial negotiation involved in the process.
NBBC will expect to see a contribution (be it a CIL or S106) in return for granting a satisfactory Planning Permission.
NTFC CIC will need professional guidance/representation in their negotiations with NBBC.
That guidance will need to have a commercial edge.
Edited by VoR at 19:24:21 on 1st June 2025
Edited by VoR at 19:25:10 on 1st June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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No. That would not be legai under the fair and reasonably related test. A new swimming pool or leisure centre used by all residents might satisfy the test but not a football ground to which access/use by the general public would be restricted.
Edited by 70s Stalwart (v2) at 18:07:22 on 1st June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
Views: 340
Reply to your edit:
The Oval, as I understand it, is used 7 days a week, for Community use.
If you look at the Premier League LED Floodlight Fund recommendations, any new floodlighting system for Community use...eg for The Oval perhaps (?) requires a satisfactory Planning Permission to be granted for 7-day a week useage, up to 10.00pm.
Would this 7-day a week useage satisfy your criteria for a new Stadium to qualify for a CIL/S106 contribution from NBBC?
Edited by VoR at 21:18:53 on 1st June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Thank goodness for someone who knows what they are talking about.
I’ve lost the will to keep correcting him despite the fact - unlike him - I do actually understand the local planning process.
Edited by Gustavus at 19:57:18 on 1st June 2025
Edited by Gustavus at 20:41:21 on 1st June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Think 70s is the man to follow in this thread but I totally agree regarding s106 money -
All this talk of a new Nuneaton ground is all related to what the LA can offer in terms of help . I can’t see for one minute the LA provide if any funding whatsoever as money is tight.
I see any help being in the shape of a piece of land leased to the club, although facilities such as 4 g pitches available to the Towns inhabitants would certainly help. As VS says sites are few and far between and most are bounded by established residential areas and history shows us that prospective new Boro grounds are never flavour of the month for local residents.
Get together with Beduth and the council- flog the oval for much needed housing and use the money to build a council owned new facility between the two towns with 4 g pitches and corporate facilities etc. Both clubs rent the new ground and procure grants to develop.
Problems are green belt land between the new town and Beduth fc probably wouldn’t entertain it. The Oval is not a registered park or garden but there is no consent regime if it was. Sometimes you have to think out of the box. Just think a superb football and sports centre tucked in between Muda park and the A444 in the corner - heaven for both towns - good transport links and out of the way of houses. Who knows or dares to dream.
For me Gala fields and Vale view would stir local residents into large scale opposition but no harm in trying.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Or develop the Oval when necessary
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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You really do want Nuneaton to stay in Bedworth don’t you.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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I am just thinking about the practicalities. But Bedworth might not like the idea. I think we will be at Bedworth for at least ten years. I would hate a return to Liberty Way. Realistically are there any available (and practical )Council sites? How much money would we need to develop a Council sites- £2 million?
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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I wonder if anyone has been in contact with Griff & Coton Club ? Could be a useful staging post if we were to need further time to continue searching.Cost of floodlights may not be prohibitive at this present level.Anyone playing there these days ?
The King is dead. Long live The King.
Edited by Vernon Slain at 12:19:52 on 4th June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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I would agree with your assessment BD with one rider.
If the new Club are unable to return to Nuneaton within 10 years, then I don't think there will be the prospect of NTFC CIC ever returning to the town.
What implications that will have is anyone's guess!?
Edited by VoR at 11:32:33 on 4th June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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You’re right VoR that would be the death of “Nuneaton “ town.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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You’re right VoR that would be the death of “Nuneaton “ town.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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So obvious I said it twice.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Yes, it would be the death of Nuneaton also as a town, abandoning all hope of NTFC CIC ever returning to the town would be unthinkable!
It would leave a very hollow feeling in the Community, whether you are a Boro supporter or not, IMO it would be a very sad loss to the town as a whole.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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It might depend on how big the town gets-. It’s nearly at the A5 now
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Death of Nuneaton as a town?
Not really- most people in Nuneaton these days couldn't give a toss about Town/ Boro - and gates the last 20 years prove it.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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More chance of reviving the football club than saving the town.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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It is a realistic prospect for the next 10 years.
Depending on the standard of the new pitch, at worst it would limit the new Club to playing no higher than Level 7/Step 3 (SLPC).
It's not unreasonable to expect it to take NTFC CIC another 10 years to achieve SLPC status.
The new pitch should last for another 10 years, before it needs replacing once again.
Just my thoughts!
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
Views: 358
I think Vale View would run into difficulty with WCC Highways.
Also, as you have pointed out previously, it is an old marl pit.
If it has been used as a landfill site, then an extensive Ground Investigation would need to be carried out & if that identifies ground contamination, ground remediation or a potential need to carry out ground improvement works, that could prove very expensive & would need an Enabling Groundworks Contract to be let, to bring the site up to standard for engineering works for structures.
Then there is the fact that being underlain by clay, any groundwater will be perched, sitting on top of the clay.
You all know my preference for a new Stadium site!
Edit:
It appears that the Local Authority are prepared to pay for the work to remediate the pitch at Scarborough...£3.2 million!
Scarborough Athletic have signed a ground-share agreement with Bridlington for next season...they previously ground-shared with Bridlington for 10 years.
Edited by VoR at 22:05:07 on 1st June 2025
Edited by VoR at 22:11:07 on 1st June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Nuneaton ain’t Scarborough though - do Nuneaton LA see any benefit of a football team representing the town with its previous history of failure and associated occasional violence and disorder? That said they do seem happy to invite the players into the mayors parlour after a cup run.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
Views: 328
Agreed - in right area perhaps but can’t see planning approval.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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The only site I can see feasible is Liberty Way (either where the ground WAS or what the Nuns own).
Yes, there are issues with this, but beggars can not be choosers.
>>>> Former Nuneaton Boro fan <<<<
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Think you dead on there VS - thought the same myself - can’t see any other options really -
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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exact same thoughts here.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Rather requires the land owners being willing to cooperate or sell!
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Oh yes.
Perhaps; just perhaps (or is it wishful thinking) that how the football club is now organised would gain trust from one or both of the owners.
Whilst the ground share (Nuns/Boro) was not liked by many (with a host of issues), it did make sense.
How great it would be if rugby/hockey/football could be played at Liberty Way with a sports hall for indoor sports as well as social facilities to support it all.
I would hazard a guess, the Liberty way is more than adequate for the Nuns and football club now "as is".
>>>> Former Nuneaton Boro fan <<<<
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Well apart from now having no football social club, no football dressing rooms and no football offices.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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The Nuns have all these.
Boro don't have a socials club, offices or changing rooms now
>>>> Former Nuneaton Boro fan <<<<
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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They can be rented.
We build 'small towns!' on major construction sites.
Nothing like the scale of those site set-ups would be needed for the Boro at Liberty Way.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Off the Nuns a deal then?
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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I would hope the Nuns would be happy for the Boro to use their Clubhouse.
The Changing Rooms & Offices could be rented temporary buildings.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Whether it is legal or not, it has happened to me & I have the S106 Completed Engrossment to prove it.
Edit:
A 'Sports, Recreation & Community' contribution.
Edited by VoR at 18:11:41 on 1st June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
Views: 337
Cover pricing ain’t legal and that happens in construction.
I suppose we’ll see what happens but I don’t see a new Boro ground for a long time sadly. It will probably happen but may take years.
It needs the best people involved in the procurement process but that will cost as we all know. All the money the new club raises will probably go towards paper shuffling.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Just my thoughts, but pouring money into a football club/ground would be the last thing on councilors minds I would have thought .
Edit ... they might help with locations but with the way councils are at the minute I cant see them giving any money
Edited by Lord of the Manor at 17:41:18 on 1st June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Most LA’s are skint - Nuneaton has had to scale back the Grayson place development due to costs. The UK national debt is around 2.8 trillion - Any help from authority will not be cash related and any new setup must benefit the town as a whole of LA does help -imo.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Unlikely they will contribute directly but they do want ground maintenance off the books hence the range of available sites . There is also a shortage of local 4G facilities so anything for the community is a positive. Especially from a not for profit CIC.
There will not be any S106 contributions and he’s been told this so many times!
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Correct [b]BUT I THINK[/b] councils get grants from central government for this sort of thing, so does not come out of council tax.
Bit like Warwickshire council getting money for SEND and the government want assurances it will be spent as intended.
>>>> Former Nuneaton Boro fan <<<<
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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NBBC have to give assurances to Developers that the money raised through S106 contributions is spent.
Any unspent money should be returned to the Developer but this rarely happens, if at all.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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If the potential site is an existing Council owned site, NBBC may see some benefit in a joint development approach with NTFC CIC & allocating some funds to the proposed new Stadium project.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Yes - got to be gain and public benefit for the whole town though.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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No the interest is to get land off the books.
There is no cash for joint initiatives.
He can spout all he wants about future proofing and anything else that takes his fancy but the only two strands that actually align are NTFC have no money to purchase land and NBBC are keen to get ground maintenance off the books. There is potential for community use facilities available across the week but that has no material impact on any decisions - it may help the business case that’s all.
And Grayson Place was not scaled back apart from a multi storey car park becoming single level. It’s other projects which were scrapped to fund what was needed for Grayson Place given inflation and supply chain cost increases post Covid and Ukraine.
Edited by Gustavus at 21:57:49 on 1st June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-68354956.amp
?
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Written by a young kid who has now moved on and didn’t understand what was happening,
He is correct there about the projects scrapped to pay for Grayson Place.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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Fair enough - all I could find -
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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I’d be absolutely amazed if NBBC ever forwarded a single penny to help NT fc.
Well see but LAs are skint - most overspend on nonsense ( sorry - political)
No longer a Nuneaton resident or taxpayer but to be honest I wouldn’t be happy if the LA spent anything on an institution with a long track record of failure patronised by a few hundred people. Time will tell though.
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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We are agreeing. The only interest for NBBC is actually in saving money ie ground maintenance liabilities. And this why VoR spouts continual nonsense!
Edited by Gustavus at 22:13:35 on 1st June 2025
Edited by Gustavus at 22:15:47 on 1st June 2025
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Re: Leamington new ground situation
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You don’t get owt for nowt and Nuneaton town ain’t got owt.- sadly
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