The council finance committee agreed to provide the full £100,000 for the clubhouse project at their meeting on Tuesday evening. Previously the council had offered to provide between 50K and 100K subject to available funds, and that has now been shown to be available at the full amount in R2 funds (which is where developers money is held). The motion was passed unanimously. This is in addition to the 10K already donated by the council.

Q. Why are we doing this?

A. This project is about securing the long term future of the Sports Club as South Wilts premier voluntary run multi-sport facility. To achieve this we need to address the facilities, the costs and the number of people using the facilities. They are inter-related. The facilities are tired; the Clubhouse is old, it needs refurbishment, it does not provide the changing or social accommodation needed, it is expensive to run and major work will be needed in the near future; the synthetic pitch will need re-carpeting next year.

Q. Running costs.

A. We need to cover the costs of running the club through our income; we need to reduce costs by having a pavilion that is energy efficient and does not require excessive maintenance and we need to increase income by better use of the facilities – by having a clubhouse that people use 7 days a week. So we also need to develop our sporting activities and become a centre for sport in the District not just for playing but also as a centre which is sports friendly and welcomes clubs to hold “off the pitch” activities such as AGMs, training courses, committee meetings etc – we will also employ a Development Officer to help our own clubs and others to grow and be successful. Unless we address these issues now, we will struggle to keep our existing membership and attract new members in the future.

Q. How will we pay?

In order to fund this, we will need the Club and its membership to contribute, but we need to maximise the amount of external funding. Whilst there are grants that we can seek and we are in contact with various bodies such as Sports England and the National Governing Bodies of the sports played at the Club, it is unlikely that this will be sufficient to meet our needs. Hence we are working with the Wilton Estate, our landlord, to secure funding through the proposed housing development to provide a significant contribution to the capital costs.

Q. What are the benefits to the community?

A. The community will benefit in a number of ways. By having better facilities (playing, changing and social) players will find South Wilts and our member sections more attractive and we shall increase membership. As a result more people in the community will be able to participate in sport. Hence there will be improvement to their lifestyle and resulting health. With increased membership, we will develop more capacity for additional participation, be able to draw on more coaches and team organisers thus growing the Club and the amount of benefit. By having an improved standard of facilities, we will attract more spectators along with more players – these are likely to spend longer in the community and bring income into our local shops and restaurants.

By being a centre of excellence for sports development, we will help sport in the wider South Wilts community to benefit. Improved links will be forged with schools and clubs in the rural areas.

Locally, we will offer facilities to be available to the community so non-affiliated groups will be able to use the Clubhouse for meetings or specialist events. We are including a footpath in our plans to improve access to the Bemerton St. John junior School and reduce their traffic hazards on Lower Road. We will be taking the pavilion away from the houses adjacent to our eastern boundary and hence reduce the noise impact of our operation.

Q. When are we likely to get result of the planning application?

A. We understand that the outcome of the planning application will be announced by 11th February. This may be to refer the decision to the Planning Committee.

Q. What is the implication of planning being rejected?

A. If the application is rejected, we will need to understand the grounds for the rejection and identify ways to overcome them. We will engage with Salisbury District Council Planning Department and our local councillors to understand how our project can be changed in order to achieve approval. We believe that our plans are good for the Sports Club, the local community and for sport in Salisbury.

Q. What is the position of the Wilton Estate?

A. The Wilton Estate is supportive of our proposal. Through the Agent, we have kept the Estate informed as our plans have developed and detailed discussions are underway over the agreements which will need to be in place to secure a long term tenancy for the Club.

Q When is build to take place?

A. Given planning consent in February, we move into a very busy period to secure funding, develop detailed plans with which to engage contractors for the work. This is likely to take most of the year. It is hoped that build will commence early in 2010. The re-carpeting of the synthetic pitch will take place in the summer of 2010. All that should be finished by Christmas 2010. The new Clubhouse will be built before the existing one is demolished for the five new houses.

Q. How can I support the application?

A. By logging on to the SDC website Planning page and indicating your support for project S/2008/2089 and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to do the same – particularly if they are involved in sport. The more support responses there are, the more likely the application will be approved.

Q. How much is it all going to cost?

A. We are looking at project costs of around £1 – 1.25M to achieve our ‘vision’. Once we have planning approval, we will get a better idea of the potential costs. So it is not a small project.

Q. How is this to be funded?

A. We are looking to get a major contribution from Wilton Estate. We have funding from Sport England (Lottery Community Investment Fund) earmarked and Salisbury District Council subject to confirmation. We have some internal funds available and we must continue to increase this contribution. We are also looking to the National Governing Bodies of Cricket, Hockey, Rugby and Soccer to make contributions.

Q. Will our membership fees increase?

A. The project is not looking for members to contribute through membership fees. Hopefully, the end result will be such that membership is attractive and so more members will join. Hence our operational costs will be covered by more income. In the meantime, we are looking at members to undertake fundraising; better still if that takes place outside of the existing membership, so any ideas/efforts are welcome.

Q. Will it affect the playing areas?

A. The current main playing areas will not be significantly affected. The only area subject to loss is the ground currently used by croquet during the summer but the playing area will be moved. There may be constraints placed on the type of game played on the eastern strip at the eastern side of the square.

Q. I’m really interested and excited by this, how can I get involved?

A. If you are a member by contacting your Club Committee or Peter Curtis in the hockey club. There are fund raising committees who are looking for volunteers to arrange activities. If you have specialist skills which could be of benefit to the project and you have time to spend, then again contact Peter Curtis. If you are not a member of the and wish to be involved, then please contact the project on enquiries@southwiltshubclub.co.uk;

http://www.salisbury.gov.uk/planning/development-control/planning-applications/2008/2089/application-details.htm