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Jun 07, 2024

Hurst School near Tadley plans to build 3G artificial turf

A SCHOOL in Tadley has submitted a planning application to build a 3G artificial turf pitch (ATP) with associated features. The Hurst School in Brimpton Road, Baughurst, is seeking to build the pitch

A SCHOOL in Tadley has submitted a planning application to build a 3G artificial turf pitch (ATP) with associated features.

The Hurst School in Brimpton Road, Baughurst, is seeking to build the pitch along with fencing, gates, storage container, floodlighting, hard-standing areas and vehicular access.

There will be six LED floodlights 15m in height around the pitch.

The secondary school, previously called The Hurst Community College, has proposed to build the pitch on the south of the main school building.

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According to a planning statement, the proposed 3G ATP will provide “enhanced opportunities for football activities including training, coaching, education, skills development, as well as matchplay”; and the playing fields will be “transformed into a valued contemporary all-weather sports facility”.

The school said it would be extremely popular with its 1,000 students, as well as local football clubs and organisations including Tadley Calleva Football Club, AFC Aldermaston, and Reading FC Community Trust.

The application added that the football programmes will target girls and boys football, veteran, and disability, as well as senior football training; so the new facility will “become a prized resource to the local football family”.

Some trees and part of the woodland will be affected by the proposed development.

The project is supported by the Football Association and The Football Foundation (as project stakeholders) and as part of their national playing pitch strategy.

It is anticipated that the 3G ATP will be used by the school for curriculum sport during the day and will provide pre-arranged and structured access to local community groups and football clubs every day up to 10pm.

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The Hurst School has been identified as a priority project within the Local Football Facility Plan (LFFP) for Basingstoke and Deane.

The Basingstoke and Deane Playing Pitch Strategy has also identified a shortfall of artificial pitches in the authority and has named Tadley as being a location that would be one of the most suitable locations to build a pitch to help satisfy this demand.

If approved, the council will also be investing a significant capital sum into the project in recognition of The Hurst School’s importance in the strategic policy.

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