A smaller clubhouse and fewer spectator seats are on the cards for the new home of an Isle of Wight football team.
Plans for Newport FC’s new stadium, near the Racecourse Roundabout in Whippingham, have been on the table since 2017 but now, seven, years later, fresh proposals have been put forward.
From two to one-storey
South Coast Leisure, which is behind the plans, have made changes to the plans and submitted them for consideration by the Isle of Wight council.
It could see the main building reduced in size from a two-storey to a single-storey clubhouse and one of the four proposed spectator stands removed.
No significant changes to facilities
Planning documents say while the space would reduce overall there would be no significant changes to the facilities provided around the building.
Inside there are proposed to be multiple sets of toilets, changing rooms a bar and kitchen area, office space and meeting rooms.
The external walls of the clubhouse would also be painted and covered with cladding in some areas.
Simplifying the building construction
In a statement from planning agent Paul Airey on behalf of South Coast Leisure, he said the changes would “simplify the building construction and reduce both building and future maintenance costs”
The proposals have been discussed with representatives of Newport FC and Mr Airey said the club consider the facilities would be easier to manage and maintain, and reflect other football clubhouses in the league.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 24/00169/RVC, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 8th March 2024.
Development began in Sept 2022
According to the planning documents, the development of the site is said to have started in September 2022.
The football club has been waiting for its new home for years after moving out of its ground on St George’s Way in Newport.
Moved to make way for retail park
It was to make way for a major retail park development, which has got planning permission and will see Aldi, McDonalds and Costa Coffee move in.
Conditions on the planning permission have stipulated the new football ground on Fairlee Road has to be built and in use before the retail park can open.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
