As a result of recent discussions together with the club’s formal response to Arun District Council’s HELAA ‘Call for Sites Pro - Forma’ the Council is aware that the club is giving serious consideration to the sale of circa 2.5 acres in the North West quadrant of the club’ s site at Roundstone Lane. But, nothing has yet been agreed or finalised. A number of local and national developers have contacted the Futures Group and have expressed considerable interest in acquiring the whole or a few acres of the club’s site. Accord ingly, there is no doubt that some very competitive offers are likely to arise if, as and when any part is advertised for sale. The Futures Group are ready to submit a ‘Pre - App’ to Arun District Council to improve the potential bidding.
The sale of part may be an attractive option if the area sold kept to minimum and the proceeds enough to cover yet to be agreed required works or improvements
The Club could gain: -
extended & refurbished clubhouse at least one Artificial or Hybrid pitch
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debts cleared
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tax paid
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- improved facilities for commercial sustainability - modest Reserve Fund - main drainage - AND still own at least 18 acres ALL within 24 months and u nlike ‘land swop’ deals, club retains 100% control
An indicative layout at Roundstone Lane following a sale of circa 2.5 acres accompanies this report.
Option 3 - Relocate to a new site - The search for a suitable alternative site
Over the past 10 years the Futures Group has looked at 9 different potential sites (but not necessarily in the following order) as follows: 1. Land on west side of Littlehampton and adjacent to the River Arun. Decision: Not suitable and too far west. 2. Land south of West Street, Sompting . Decision: Not suitable (includes Landfill) and destined to be a future Worthing Relief Road and Business Park. 3. Land east of B&Q (Lyons Farm, A27, East Worthing). Not available but not sufficient size or suitable in any event. 4. Land east of A280 . The landowner was only prepared to release a long thin strip of land running parallel to the A280 from the A259 in the south and unwilling to release a better shaped area. Decision: Not suitable. 5. Land south of A259 (Roundstone Farm) including land to the south of the railway line. This area was offered by Barratts but upon closer investigation there would be considerable problems and expense regarding a new vehicular bridge over the railway and the removal of overhead power lines. Decision: Not suitable due to potential cost and substantial potential (financial and other) risks. 6. Land west of Titnore Lane, Durrington and north of the Swallows Rest Restaurant. Decision: Not suitable due to size and uneven terrain. 7. Land north of A259 (Ham Manor – opposite Sainburys). This site would be of suitable size, with excellent access despite being split on either side of South Drive. The landowner subsequently withdrew the site due to potential future residential development opportunities.
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