8. Chatsmore Farm, Goring (Part 1). This large site to the south of the A259, south/west of the Northbrook Roundabout and adjacent to Goring Railway Station was seen in 2011/12 as a genuine prospect for the club. Persimmons Homes own the site and offered to sell 40 acres (with just two pitches to the north of the Rife and the whole of the rest of the club’s new facilities to the south of the Rife) to the club in exchange for the club’s present site. The deal involved, at Persimmons’ expense, the levelling and laying down of pitches (including 4G pitches and floodlights) and the construction of a new purpose built clubhouse with all necessary ancillary facilities including car parking and spectator stands. By mid 2012 the point was reached where the club’s membership approval was required to commit the club to enter into a formal agreement with Persimmons. At a club Special General Meeting in September 2012 that approval was granted and work proceeded on the final terms and conditions of the formal Contract. During early 2013 99% of the terms and conditions of the formal Contract were then negotiated and at the Annual General Meeting in July 2013 the club’s members gave approval to commit the club to enter into a formal agreement. Then at the 11 th hour Persimmons withdrew the site because they believed they could obtain approval for residential development fromWorthing Borough Council, who were in desperate need for more housing in the borough. 9. Sea Lane, Ferring . In January 2017 Persimmons contacted the Futures Group to ask if the club would be interested in taking some land east of Sea Lane, Ferring. Persimmons own most of the open farm land to the east of Sea Lane and to the south of Ilex Way (running down to the sea). Curiously, this was one of the sites the club considered in the 1970s before opting for its present Roundstone Lane site. Following site visits and discussions, the Futures Group decided it was a site worthy of serious consideration and discussions proceeded and a draft Heads of Terms was prepared. Subject to obtaining all necessary planning permissions for both sites, in exchange for the club’s 24 acres at Roundstone Lane, Persimmons indicated that they were prepared to sell the club sufficient land at Ferring and to lay out and construct for the club all required playing surfaces (with some floodlights), clubhouse (with all ancillary facilities), spectator accommodation and car parking. There still, however, remains no final decision on precise layout, configuration, design of buildings, point(s) of vehicular access and costs. The Futures Group would expect that from such deal the club would, upon completion, have a substantial (possibly seven figure sum) Reserve Fund for future developments (including renewals of facilities). At a meeting with Persimmons on 5 th March 2020 they stated that Arun District Council would not support a Planning Application for the club’s use of the land at that time and that, therefore, an Appeal on that site would be inevitable. Since March 2020 there has been indecision in the location of land at Ferring being offered by Persimmons – originally it was land lying North/South parallel to Sea Lane and totally within the Arun District Council’s area, then an area to the south nearer the sea and later across the top near Ilex Way (in both Arun District and Worthing Borough Councils’ areas). Nothing has been finalised. No Planning Applications or ‘Pre - Apps’ have been submitted although the Arun District Council will be aware of possible future application as a result of informal discussions and Arun District Council’s request to local landowners for information about their sites (land banks). Persimmons was to submit its Response document to the Council’s ‘Understanding the Barriers to Delivery’. The Futures Group commented on that document before it was finalised to make sure that it did not prejudice the club’s position in any way. The club was at pains to ensure that all of its options remain open. So far as the club is aware that document has not yet been submitted by Persimmons to Arun District Council. Notwithstanding the above, the Futures Group is not in a position to recommend the Sea Lane, Ferring site at the present time for a number of reasons, including the following: (a) Persimmons have been very reluctant to agree the precise location and configuration of the land that would be transferred to the club. (b) Persimmons have yet to be clear regarding vehicular access to the site. (c) The site is very exposed to the elements, particularly from the prevailing south westerlies and being quite close to the sea. (d) The land is susceptible to flooding and as a consequence drainage may prove a major hurdle and expense. In any event, before any decision is made to proceed, a comprehensive ‘Fit for Purpose’ Report would be required from Persimmons including a Full Soil Investigation and Ground Condition Report and Conclusion. In addition, a Flood Risk Assessment and a Geology Report would be required. (e) If a deal was agreed Persimmons would require, as soon as acceptable Planning Consents were granted on both sites, unrestricted access to and full use of Pitches 4 & 5 (comprising 5 acres) at Roundstone Lane to enable Persimmons to start residential development on that 5 acres. Those two pitches would thus be lost while the club’s new facilities are laid out and constructed by Persimmons at Ferring .
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