The planning application from Rayleigh Boys for 8 pitches was passed tonight, with no councillor voting against. The numbers of players turning up in kit turned the public area into a lake of orange.
Putting things briefly:
After 5 minutes from Alistir Matthews from Rawreth Parish Council, Mr Bird from Rayleigh Boys and a neighbouring resident, Chris Black was the first councillor to speak. He said that if this was refused, the council should look again at leasing out the new pitches in Priory Chase to a local club. If this was passed, he wanted to see
1) the current consent for 3 pitches to “Sporting Events” revoked – which wasn’t supported by other councillors
2) the condition made personal to Rayleigh Boys, to ensure only they got the use – this was supported and included as a condition.
Approval was then moved by Hawkwell councillor Heather Glynn, and this was then seconded by another Hawkwell councillor Michael Starke, in possibly his last significant action in the coucnil chamber before he retires.
A third Hawkwell councillor , John Mason, was very supportive of the proposals, but other councillors were more cautious. Ron Oatham was feeling torn both ways on this, Great Wakering councillor Colin Seagers was very concerned about residents.
When it became clear that councillors would be voting in favour, there were some complicated discusssions on what conditions to impose. Heather Glynn wanted evening use as well, Chris Black asked for Sundays only, with very limited Saturdays in case of catching up on postponed games.
In the end it was passed. with use of Sundays only, except for 8 Saturdays per season. Out of the onlinefocus team, Jackie and Chris voted for, Ron abstained.
The crowd left happy…..
This is great news for our club, thanks to Martin and the rest of the committee for all their hard work, Shanes excellent and inspiring speech and probably most importantly a fantastic turnout tonight of club volunteers, supporters and the people who it is all about, the children…. ! I used to play for this club when I was a child, my son plays for them and hopefully my two other children will as well. This is a big day in the clubs history and one we are very proud of. Thanks to the councillors who spoke for our application (Chris, Jackie, cllr Humphries) and a special mention to Heather Glynn whose support tonight has been acknowledged by all in attendance.
Lastly, we understand this is not quite the outcome our soon to be neighbours had hoped for, but I sincerely hope, going forwards we can work together for our mutual benefit. I’m sure the club will be happy to speak with you to help achieve this…
I am glad that the application was passed and that I could make a contribution to make a difference. My position is that from time to time there are situations like this which are exceptions and I had already supported two others; Disability Essex at Roche way and the Air Cadets in Rayleigh. If the Council is proposing so much housing development in Green Belt then, technically, I could not see that this application was, in the scale of things, that detrimental. The most ironic of issues for me was the insistance that just one bus per hour was a detriment when the same situation in Hawkwell is not one alongside a major housing development !! Place against this the overwhelming community benefit and weighed it all up on the night I could see no material reason for refusal and every reason to strongly support the application on behalf of our young people.
Comment was made by a Conservative Member about supporting members being up for re-election.
I can assure everyone that my track record on the right exceptions (see above) in green belt meant that I had very good reasons again to support the right application.
What a fantastic evening for all concerned with Rayleigh Boys, the parents, players and coaches. A heartfelt thanks to all those Councillors who voted in favour of the application especially Heather Glynn.
Not only was it a great night for football but it was great night for local democracy, with so many children introduced to the workings of their local council.I hope in years to come that last nights events prove to the children that voting for local Councillors is worthwhile because local government can make important decisions that affect the community where they live.
Chris
I would just like to Echo Kris’s Comments and thank all of you for your support. We appreciate that the decision would not be popular with everybody,but we are a responsible local football club and have a duty to work and support the community of Rawreth.
We would welcome as discussed last night a resident of Rawreth to join our Committee so we can respond to any issues our use of the Chichester is creating.
Thank you all again for your support.
A good result for Rayleigh Boys.