with this helpful letter template which you can send to him and the council.
cc'd Boston Borough Council planning department
Dear Sir/Madam
Feedback form last night's meeting in Wyberton
It would appear that the proposed stadium will have a capacity of around 4,800 and that there will be 3 low level stands (similar to Spayne Lane), and that there will be one main stand with around 1500 seats, and ancillary accommodation, located behind one of the goals, at the west end of the stadium.
David Newton made reference to the orientation of the football stadium in respect to light etc, but from memory I am not convinced that the proposed orientation is in accordance with the information / guidance published by The Football Association, etc.
It was also stated on one of the slides that the stadium would be owned by a BUFC Community Interest Community and that BUFC would be a tenant of the BUFC CIC as would all the other BUFC branded entities, i.e. Community Football ? Education, etc, etc. There is also proposals for an all weather pitch, and conference facilities for weddings etc in the main stand.
No information was provided as to the cost of the new stadium, or where the funding would be obtained from?
However, it was stated that the whole development of 500 dwellings, and 12 acres of retail development, plus other commercial developments, ie hotels, restaurants, etc would be valued at £100 million, and that 450 new jobs would be created as the result of the development, No breakdown was provided as to where these jobs would be, i.e. car park attendants?
David Newton did verbally confirm that Chestnut Homes already own 3 adjoining residential properties facing on London Road, and had owned these properties for a number of years, and that this is where access would be obtained in the land behind.
David Newton did verbally state that the proposed Supermarket could be upto 90,000sq. ft. which is larger than the latest ASDA, and the existing TESCO and that they do not have an end user.
David Newton also stated that the new road between the A16 and London Road would not be constructed to the standard of a Distributor Road but would be designed so that this upgrading could be achieved at a later date ! presumably by Lincolnshire County Council? has anyone told LCC I wonder?
David Newton verbally reassured everyone present that the residential properties adjacent to existing residential dwellings would not be 3 storeys, as illustrated in the various photographs. There was no such assurance that the new dwellings in the centre of the development would not be 3 or more storeys. There was talk about there being around 20% social housing but this would be a matter for the Local Authority (Boston Borough Council) to determine through the planning process.
David Newton did verbally state that Chestnut Homes would not undertake all the residential development themselves and that they would sell some of the land off, with the benefit of planning permission to other residential property developers.
The general consensus at the meeting was that the residents present did not want the proposed development, either the football club, or the additional housing, and that the new football stadium should be located next to DABSI to supplement the existing sporting facilities !
From the information presented at tonight's meeting there is nothing unique in the stadium's design, or location, that would not prevent the proposed stadium being position off the Boardsides adjacent to DABSI.
There was no mention at last nights meeting regarding a park and ride, even for match days. Furthermore, from the images provided the football stadium is accessed from one roundabout onto the A16, and one of the main problems here is the access, and egress, for emergency services, fire ambulance, police if there was a motor accident on the roundabout. This has all the hallmarks of a novice "commercial" property developer, and that perhaps the developer should concentrate on house building?
Furthermore, I am sure that the latest proposals for 3 small terraces (standing) and 1 larger stand, with seating (no mention of corporate boxes !) and ancillary facilities would fit on the existing York Street site.
Therefore, besides an uncooperative landlord, there is no reason why the existing football facilities at York Street could not be redeveloped.
So once again, it is all about the football club being used to try and sway public opinion to get a planning permission for around 500 dwellings (i.e. 400 to 600) constructed in the open countryside!
It was verbally stated that Chestnut Homes had "invested" £500,000 into the scheme to date, and that the football club was currently losing £75,000 per annum. Presumably, the rent for the new stadium will be a token £1 per year then ?
My personal preference is that the football club should stop in the town centre as a lot of families travel to town, with the husband going to the football and the wife going shopping in town or vice versa.
So therefore the proposed development would be detrimental to the viability of the town centre!
Given the recent flooding, the football ground should be rebuilt with a raised pitch and terraces (6,000 all seater), with car parking under the pitch. Throw in a leisure facility such as ten pin bowling, bingo hall, etc, etc and the new facilities would become a leisure venue.
I look forward to hearing your views on the points I have raised
Yours faithfully
SP