It was reported at the Swindon Town Business Plan presentation that the planning application for the improvements to the Beversbrook Sports Facility in Calne had been submitted to Wiltshire Council in June.

These improvements are crucial to enable Town to move from the present training facilities at Liddington, which “is now owned by PGL and that has its own restrictions in terms of child protection issues” as it is used for an adventure activity centre for children. Plus while it is a great setting, the pitches are not the best quality.

The move of the training facility out of the Borough is an unusual step, however the club are placing great emphasis on Town being “the only pro football club in Wiltshire” so they are using this relocation as a step “to embrace the whole community in the whole of the county.”

The Beversbrook planning application for ‘Extension to Existing Sports Pavilion to Provide Fitness, Changing, Physiotherapy & Administration Accommodation’ was registered on 21st June with a decision expected by 16th August.

The Calne facility already has eleven sport pitches, a pavilion, community hall, one floodlit hard court, two cricket squares, a multi-use games area, eight changing rooms and four officials rooms. The site offers the potential for a full 3G football pitch to be developed in the future.

Town’s move to Calne requires a new two extension to the original sports pavilion to the north elevation. This will contain a technical analysis room, physio / rehabilitation room and 1st team changing room on the ground floor with a gym and office above.

The accompanying statement summarises the following:

The Beversbrook sports facility is already described as “a brilliant, top class sports facility with a state of the art pavilion, community hall and grounds”.

The relocation of Swindon Town FC training facilities to Beversbrook will further raise public awareness of these facilities, allowing integration of community and professional sports facilities. The opportunity of increased visitors and users of these facilities including the gym and sports rehabilitation suite will potentially provide an additional income stream.

The extension to the front of the building has been designed to work with the existing
accommodation, bringing integration between new and existing changing areas whilst externally the extension does not impact on the outside areas, with no loss of sports playing fields or car parking.

Full details of the application can be viewed here with details on how to comment…