Fears over Cheltenham rugby club’s expansion bid
Increased traffic on the A435 is being feared by the proposed bid
A Cheltenham rugby club wants permission to expand its facilities and build a sports hall on their ground amid road safety fears and concerns over its appearance.
Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club has submitted plans to Tewkesbury Borough Council to develop their Newlands Park ground in Southam Lane in Southam.
They want consent for various extensions to the existing club house including a new sports hall primarily to support the development of a wheelchair rugby team.
They also want a first floor extension to the sports club to facilitate additional studio space.
And a new permanent stand to the main football and rugby pitch to accommodate spectators.
However, the proposals have sparked concerns from Southam Parish Council over the proposal’s appearance and the impact it will have on the nearby busy junction with the A435.
“Overall, the proposals support the continued growth of Cheltenham Rugby Club and enable the club to improve its existing facilities, grow partnerships with local schools and increase participation of sports within the local community, including those with disabilities through a specialised facility for wheelchair rugby,” their planning statement reads.
“The development, therefore, delivers an important sports facility which substantially benefits the health and well-being of the community, while supporting the growth of elite sport.
“The site comprises an established leisure and sports destination and is therefore a logical location for the siting of the proposed facilities, where the benefits of colocation of leisure and sporting uses can be realised.”
However, Southam Parish Council has raised concerns over the appearance and scale of the development.
They also raise concerns over parking and the effect the development would have on the nearby busy junction with the A435.
“We are concerned about the visual impact on the landscape in terms of scale, materials and colour of facade,” they said in their objection.
“The appearance should blend with the current building and be less industrial. We are concerned about the level of parking being sufficient and the effects on the busy junction with the A435 of further traffic particularly as it clashes with events in the field opposite.”
Borough planners are expected to consider the scheme by February 28, this year.