Attached is announcement that we hope you have all been waiting for and one which we believe will springboard our aspirations for the future.
This comes after a lot of investment of time and money from the board of G.A.F.C. led by M Woodward to find the right location.
We would like to take this opportunity in thanking Mr B. Newman and other members of the council for progressing matters thus far.
The Board G.A.F.C.
Statement from Thurrock Council:
Top Thurrock councillors will be discussing the creation of a massive sporting centre when they meet next week.
A “Thurrock Sports Hub”, based around Blackshots, will be on the agenda of Thurrock Council‘s Cabinet on Wednesday (6 August).
Councillors are being asked to approve continued work on the scheme which could see sporting facilities develop in an arc around Blackshots from William Edwards School and Sports College in the north east, to an area just to the south of the King George V sports field and the A1013 Stanford Road.
The report to Cabinet states: “There are a number of models for the creation of a Sports Hub centrepiece. It is considered particularly important that community facilities are included in the development proposals - enabling access for local and wider communities.
“In particular, examples of working facilities such as those developed at Tooting and Mitcham or Dartford involves provision of a stadium, multi-purpose sports hall, artificial pitches, health centre and sports injury clinic, and changing facilities.”
The council and the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation - which is backing the plan - have already received interest about the scheme from a variety of potential public and private partners, including Grays Athletic Football Club.
However, nothing is going to happen overnight. Any detailed proposals will “need to be the subject of a careful feasibility analysis that is capable of withstanding scrutiny”, says the report, which adds: ”Any proposals will need to be worked up in consultation with the local community, so concerns over protection of the immediate and wider Green Belt, transportation, amenity (noise/light nuisance etc) will be addressed.”
The plans - if they go through - will provide wide benefits for the community at large, says the report. These include improved health of the population generally, activities for younger people - reducing anti-social behaviour - and regeneration of the borough.
Official Press Release can be downloaded here: Download file