Sport and Politics

[Bernstein]

Anyone interested in why sport and politics should never mix may wish to take a look at the documents associated with this planning application - 14/21249/FUL

http://www7.staffordbc.gov.uk/onlin...iveTab=externalDocuments&keyVal=NDQS3NPSGD500

 

[Chick]

Anyone interested in why sport and politics should never mix may wish to take a look at the documents associated with this planning application - 14/21249/FUL

http://www7.staffordbc.gov.uk/onlin...iveTab=externalDocuments&keyVal=NDQS3NPSGD500

For obvious reasons (i.e. profile pic) I've been keeping a close eye on this application. The opposition views being put forward by some of the governing bodies/council are just baffling to anyone with an ounce of common sense

 

[PeterD]

Can you summarise, there are hell of a lot of related documents.

 

[Chick]

All league hockey has to be played on astro turf pitches on a Saturday. Currently the club uses the pitch at Beaconside for it's home fixtures however it has been a long ambition of the club to have it's own hockey pitch at the Riverway site.

Due to a lot of development in the sport done by the club there are now too many teams (6 mens sides, 5 ladies sides) in order to fit in all the required home games each Saturday on the pitch at Beaconside meaning some teams are having to play their home fixtures at Alleynes in Stone (not ideal)

To further complicate matters the future of Beaconside is under threat due to the University moving and there is a distinct possibility there will be no astro turf pitches that are suitable for playing hockey in Stafford within the near future.

The club want to build an astro turf pitch on their privately owned land with their own money for the purposes of playing hockey on (that will also allow other sports to be played on it) and also make improvements to the 2nd cricket pitch

In among the many comments of support the ridiculous objections include:

• The primary purpose of the astro pitch isn't for football - because obviously football is the centre of everything and why would a cricket and hockey club want to build a football pitch?
• There are more football teams in Stafford so why build a hockey pitch - see above
• You can't play football on it - even though it won't be it's primary purpose, yes you can. However if a football astro was built, you can't play hockey on it so obviously that won't be something a hockey club would want to do
• Why can't you play on a different day of the week - not possible
• Why can't you use the privately owned facilities of one of our rivals i.e. Stone Hockey club - don't think that even needs justifying
• The 2nd cricket pitch will become unusable - completely false
• You are building it on council land - completely false
• Loss of a rugby pitch - this is probably the most political point. When St Leonards rugby club had to give up using their pitches a few years ago, despite agreeing to provide them with alternatives, the council didn't so the cricket and hockey club offered them temporary use of their facilities i.e. they use the outfield of the 2nd cricket pitch. Now the fact that the club wants to use their land to the play the sport participated in by it's membership is being used as an objection even though discussions are already being held around finding alternatives for the rugby club so they won't loose any facilities

 

[proactive]

In among the many comments of support the ridiculous objections include:

• The primary purpose of the astro pitch isn't for football - because obviously football is the centre of everything and why would a cricket and hockey club want to build a football pitch?
• There are more football teams in Stafford so why build a hockey pitch - see above
• You can't play football on it - even though it won't be it's primary purpose, yes you can. However if a football astro was built, you can't play hockey on it so obviously that won't be something a hockey club would want to do
• Why can't you play on a different day of the week - not possible
• Why can't you use the privately owned facilities of one of our rivals i.e. Stone Hockey club - don't think that even needs justifying
• The 2nd cricket pitch will become unusable - completely false
• You are building it on council land - completely false
• Loss of a rugby pitch - this is probably the most political point. When St Leonards rugby club had to give up using their pitches a few years ago, despite agreeing to provide them with alternatives, the council didn't so the cricket and hockey club offered them temporary use of their facilities i.e. they use the outfield of the 2nd cricket pitch. Now the fact that the club wants to use their land to the play the sport participated in by it's membership is being used as an objection even though discussions are already being held around finding alternatives for the rugby club so they won't loose any facilities

Thanks for the summary.

Are these objections that have been upheld or just the usual crackpot objections put in by the usual fcukwits of the public who object to everything in order to exercise their right to be objectionable?

 

[Chick]

If they were by members of the public you could possibly forgive people's ignorance. They are actually from members of some sport governing bodies and council departments who really should know better

The final decision hasn't been made yet as far as I'm aware

 

[Rikki]

I've been following this also being a neighbour to the club, I've also recently started to play hockey.

The reasons put against the application are a joke and it's purely down to certain individuals own agenda that it hasn't been given the go ahead already.

If there was a legitimate reason to turn the application down the planning department would have. Instead the decision has just been put back.

 

[Rikki]

As far as I know not a single objection has been made by a member of the public.

 

[Rikki]

The latest documents say it all really. Council (or rather leisure department) want planning to be turned down, issue documents saying as much and giving their reasons. But want the fact they have done so kept secret.

If the reasons were valid what reason could there be for not making it public knowledge? Like it has been now as it seems someone was trying to hide what should have always been in the public domain.

 

[PeterD]

Dear lord. I despair.

 

[proactive]

If they were by members of the public you could possibly forgive people's ignorance. They are actually from members of some sport governing bodies and council departments who really should know better

If you (the club) own the land then I really cannot see why anyone would have any grounds to object. The fact that it's not going to be for football is, surely, every reason to go ahead with it, so that people can have a choice as to what to play rather than having to follow the sheep.

 

[Withnail]

Love the 'cash cow' comment - rather reeks of 'who smelt it dealt it' don't it?

Worried about their own 'cash cow' and seeking to protect its buttery teat?

 

[Ninja0239]

It would be somewhat hypocritical of the council not to support this application after there very public support of Stafford Towns plans for a new 3G Pitch to replace there grass pitch. I am aware that Stafford BC own the land where Stafford Town FC are based.

 

[Rikki]

Yes the BC do technically own Stafford town FC. I also don't belive the plans for their pitch were even considered until the cricket and hockey pitch submitted theirs. I may be wrong.

It really is all down to money. That which the council would lose out on should the hockey pitch be built.

 

[Rikki]

Sorry money that the council and council backed clubs of their favoured sport would lose out on.

 

[captainpish]

Again, corruption even at local council level. Vested intrests come above the intrests of the public (you know council man, the people you are supposed to be serving). why do most workers in a position of power at the council have a god complex. If they dont like you that can be enough for them to make your life difficult. Happened to somebody i know who wanted permission for various additions etc. Got off to a bad start with a planner by arguing his point and then the twat refused everything. after consultin a senior who was above said planner, arses were smacked and everthing was passed. these pathetic numptys can really give you a tough time if your face dont fit.

 

[proactive]

If they were by members of the public you could possibly forgive people's ignorance. They are actually from members of some sport governing bodies and council departments who really should know better

The final decision hasn't been made yet as far as I'm aware

Have you involved your local councillors?

 

[Chick]

Have you involved your local councillors?

From what I can remember there is support from at least one Councillor and Jeremy Lefroy already on the portal

 

[Steve_b]

Having played at Stafford Hockey Club many years ago, I do hope this application gets it approval. When I was playing, we had to travel to Stone. The club has grown since my day and needs this pitch to continue that growth.

 

[Rikki]

The hockey side of the club is currently very healthy with both the Mens and Womens sides having 5 competitive teams playing every Saturday. The Mens side also have a fathoms team for beginners and younger players who also play every Saturday, I'm not sure if this is also the case for the Women. From what I'm told the junior practice sessions are also always very busy. There must have been about 20 youngsters there last night before the adult practice, which is impressive considering it was absolutely freezing.


One of the objections to the pitch is that there are apparently 10 or 8 ( not sure if this is totally correct but I'm sure the number does change from one document to the next on the planning portal) times the amount of people who play football competitively compared to hockey. But more synthetic pitches suited to hockey than football. Hockey can only be played on a synthetic pitch for safety reasons where as football can be played on grass and I would imagine this is the preferred surface. Although probably not the most cost effective to maintain and provide the greatest number of hours of possible use. If it isn't then why don't professional teams have a 3/4/5G pitch. But when there are apparently 40-50 football teams playing in Stafford every week I can see why they need more pitches for football.