THE Environment Agency has filed an objection to plans to reinvigorate the facilities at a football ground.

Bude Town Football Club (FC) has submitted plans to regenerate the facilities at its ground at Broadclose Hill which it has occupied since 1901, in order to better serve the community and maintain its place in the South West Peninsula league.

The wide-ranging application seeks the generation of existing football club to include replacement of buildings, addition of new pitches, and associated facilities as well as the creation of a camping area with hardstanding and the introduction of camping use to the site.

Central to the proposals by the football club is a proposed new clubhouse, with the current facility, which was built in 1988 reaching the end of its useful life. In the planning application, the club stated: “Despite ongoing repairs over the years, the building has now reached a point where full replacement is necessary to meet the club's needs and support its continued role in the community.”

The objection by the Environment Agency relates to a section of the ground, used as a training facility known as ‘The Platt’, which the club acknowledges is within ‘Flood zone three’, meaning it is a high risk area for flooding, stating: “The existing football pitches, clubhouse, and associated facilities are situated outside the designated flood risk zones.

“However, the lower area, referred to as the 'Platt,' intended for training purposes, falls within Flood Zone 3.

“This will not impact the proposed development, as the area will be cleared of debris and overgrowth, re-seeded with grass, and maintained without altering the existing hedgerow boundaries.”

In its objection, the Environment Agency indicated that the inclusion of information in a flood risk assessment for the affected area could see it drop its objection. It stated: “We object to this application for flood risk reasons. Further information is required within the Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)”, adding that it required information relating to the flood risk from the area and any impacts to flood storage.

This was a view echoed by the Cornwall Council lead local flood authority (LLFA) team, who stated: “The LLFA is unable to provide comments as insufficient information has been provided.

“A Surface Water Drainage Strategy is required. A minimum allowance of 50 per cent for the effects of climate change must be applied to the rainfall intensities within design calculations. Please reconsult the LLFA once a Drainage Strategy has been submitted.”

Other concerns were raised by the council’s highways team over the impact of car parking overspill.

The Highway development management officer for the authority told Cornwall Council’s planning department in their consultation response: “I have concerns that the intensification in use proposed and limited parking provision will lead to overspill on the surrounding highway network. It appears that there is land available to the west of the main pitch to facilitate additional parking.

“I recommend that a Transport Statement is produced outlining the proposed trip rate as a result of the proposals, including the parking demand.”