Ground redevelopments

[leftwinger]

I must admit I don’t know all the ins and outs of the redevelopment, the reasons for it, why some are against it and who they are. But, it seems it is thought by some/all (?) this is a positive thing which will see the club become more financially self-sustainable. This is a big plus, of course. I still will be sorry to see the end of grass at Nethermoor. The surface surely has an effect on the enjoyment of the action on it. It may (for some) make no difference (improve it?!!) or diminish it. But, according to many pundits/supporters whose opinions I have read, in a variety of sources, it is usually the latter. Since we go to football to be entertained and watch football (hoping for the highest quality/skill level possible at that level) it will have one of those three effects. And, of course, we are always hoping to see new fans join us watching that football. For myself, I am in the corner preferring football on grass and I hope it never becomes the default choice across the various football levels.

[mrsann]

Is this approval just for the pitch or for the whole proposal of changing rooms and social area.

[netherfieldlion]

Aug 23, 2023 18:32:30 GMT 1 mrsann said:

Is this approval just for the pitch or for the whole proposal of changing rooms and social area.

It’s just for the pitch and associated extension of use of the ground through the week.

[MrP]

Pleased to hear its been approved. I’m not sure anyone will have the answers but some questions.
I’m guessing the new pitch will be laid at end of this season. Is this something the club are planning to do irrespective of performances this season? For instance, should the worst happen and we remain in NPL and crowds are dwindling away, will the club still go ahead?
How long does the application remain live for? By that, if we chose not to go ahead next year, could we go year after etc
Re Raise the Roof - are we likely to have similar problems getting permission to build?

[Nik]

The only one I know the answer to is three years.

(I think once you’ve substantively broken ground/begun work, it becomes permanent)

[MrP]

Thanks Nik. So we have 3 years from now to put down a pitch. Im a big advocate for the 3G pitch but do wonder if the time has passed (in terms of becoming a community asset). I’m not sure it will have the financial impact it might have had 5 years ago but time will tell. I can’t remember the numbers required to put down pitch but suspect would cover new covering at each end.
It would be an interesting vote - what would you as a fan rather have - Pitch & Self-funding Sustainability Vs Grass pitch & Covered Terracing
Admittedly we’re not owners who are perhaps looking for a return on their outlay….

[roguewon]

Good news as far as I am concerned, as much as i love football played on grass. We can't be sustainable with gate money alone.

I have not seen another club at this or levels above survive without a income from bar takings. We need to grab all we can get, given we are years behind the curve pitch wise....

[netherfieldlion]

Here’s the full decision notice along with conditions that need to be met before installation starts

publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/online-applications/files/69234CAC28FAD3064C578A469DFE2FC8/pdf/23_01674_FU-GRANT_OF_FULL_PLANNING_PERMISSION-4906759.pdf

[matt]

Aug 23, 2023 22:21:01 GMT 1 MrP said:

Thanks Nik. So we have 3 years from now to put down a pitch. Im a big advocate for the 3G pitch but do wonder if the time has passed (in terms of becoming a community asset). I’m not sure it will have the financial impact it might have had 5 years ago but time will tell. I can’t remember the numbers required to put down pitch but suspect would cover new covering at each end.
It would be an interesting vote - what would you as a fan rather have - Pitch & Self-funding Sustainability Vs Grass pitch & Covered Terracing
Admittedly we’re not owners who are perhaps looking for a return on their outlay….

I'm no advocate of a plastic pitch, but realise it is probably needed financially. Such a shame that sport is no longer played on grass, but I'm old school.

With regards to raise the roof fundraising - it never seems to have got going, although not criticising the efforts made.

Seems it will be the only way any form of covered stand will ever be built. And yes there will be lots of objections if it ever reached planning. Said before, green space swallowed up by housing everywhere, yet a tiny stand will annoy the many locals. Shame!

[colinl]

Many of you may not be aware that an application for a covered terrace at the railway end was refused in the early 1990s. The subsequent appeal was also rejected.

[Nik]

Yeah but we got permission to terrace and cover the whole ground in 2015, didn’t we?

[mark1985]

Aug 24, 2023 9:36:24 GMT 1 matt said:

Aug 23, 2023 22:21:01 GMT 1 MrP said:

Thanks Nik. So we have 3 years from now to put down a pitch. Im a big advocate for the 3G pitch but do wonder if the time has passed (in terms of becoming a community asset). I’m not sure it will have the financial impact it might have had 5 years ago but time will tell. I can’t remember the numbers required to put down pitch but suspect would cover new covering at each end.
It would be an interesting vote - what would you as a fan rather have - Pitch & Self-funding Sustainability Vs Grass pitch & Covered Terracing
Admittedly we’re not owners who are perhaps looking for a return on their outlay….

I'm no advocate of a plastic pitch, but realise it is probably needed financially. Such a shame that sport is no longer played on grass, but I'm old school.

With regards to raise the roof fundraising - it never seems to have got going, although not criticising the efforts made.

Seems it will be the only way any form of covered stand will ever be built. And yes there will be lots of objections if it ever reached planning. Said before, green space swallowed up by housing everywhere, yet a tiny stand will annoy the many locals. Shame!

Raise the roof has raised £35k in its first year which in the current environment I think is a very good effort. With the upcoming beer festival being run along side the community foundation and hopefully another successful golf day we should be close to our target by next summer if we can also apply for additional grant funding.

I understand the rationale for an artificial pitch but don’t think it will feel the same, especially when we have the best pitch in our league and arguably NLN in my opinion.

[eboracuman]

I agree. A very good effort to reach £35k in such a short space of time. Personally, I’m ambivalent towards the new pitch. But I am very keen to see a roof of any description over the standing terracing at the Railway End. We are in the minority amongst clubs at our level. A fellow supporter/forum devotee had a great idea of perhaps approaching an airline operator to sponsor their logo being emblazoned on the roof in full view of the flight path in and out of Leeds Bradford. What’s that worth each season? Has this been explored?

[mark1985]

Aug 25, 2023 11:19:50 GMT 1 eboracuman said:

I agree. A very good effort to reach £35k in such a short space of time. Personally, I’m ambivalent towards the new pitch. But I am very keen to see a roof of any description over the standing terracing at the Railway End. We are in the minority amongst clubs at our level. A fellow supporter/forum devotee had a great idea of perhaps approaching an airline operator to sponsor their logo being emblazoned on the roof in full view of the flight path in and out of Leeds Bradford. What’s that worth each season? Has this been explored?

I agree it would be perfect and has been considered. We contacted Wizz Air when they first launched from Leeds but had no joy and had also explored KLM but it’s difficult to find the right people to contact.

Jet2 would be ideal and we are trying to get an introduction to their marketing director.

[matt]

Aug 25, 2023 11:19:50 GMT 1 eboracuman said:

I agree. A very good effort to reach £35k in such a short space of time. Personally, I’m ambivalent towards the new pitch. But I am very keen to see a roof of any description over the standing terracing at the Railway End. We are in the minority amongst clubs at our level. A fellow supporter/forum devotee had a great idea of perhaps approaching an airline operator to sponsor their logo being emblazoned on the roof in full view of the flight path in and out of Leeds Bradford. What’s that worth each season? Has this been explored?

Thats pretty decent then. Was taking the figure from the just giving page that only quotes £4,339. If the total was correct it may encourage more donations. Some people may be reticent to donate given it shows that current amount.