Dozens of objections lodged against plans for advertising boards around pitch to boost grassroots club in Hartlepool

Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee are to make a decision on Wednesday on proposals to erect 136 advertising boards around the 11-a-side football pitch at St Francis Field in Rossmere Way.

Submitted by Trevor Robinson, on behalf of Hartlepool St Francis Football Club, plans state the boards would help bring additional revenue to the club for better equipment and to help attract more people to grassroots sports.

However 40 objections have been submitted to the plans from nearby residents, stating they do not want to see alterations to the green space, along with concerns the boards could harm the appearance of the site and be vandalised.

The plans are to go before the council planning committee on Wednesday (October 7) for a decision to be made, and ahead of the meeting council officers are recommending they are approved.

Hartlepool St Francis Football Club currently has teams from under seven to under 13s, and estimates over 200 amateur football teams visit the field per season, equating to over 4,000 people.

A planning statement from the club states all members and coaching staff are volunteers, trying to support grassroots football due to ‘the love they have for the beautiful game’, and the advertising boards could help.

It said: “With the additional revenue into the football club this could mean that all managers, coaching staff and players can have the best equipment, best club tracksuits, the best football strips and most importantly a better end of season presentation.

“This can only attract more players within the Hartlepool area wanting to join St Francis Football Club and if this does happen then the promotion of grassroots football has been achieved.”

It also notes the advertisement boards will create an enclosure around the pitch and claims this will give players a sense of professionalism and the feeling they are playing on a pitch ‘just like their idols do’.

However dozens of residents living in the area have objected to the plans, with 35 people submitting the same printed response, expressing their displeasure at the plans, along with notes highlighting extra concerns.

It said: “The field is owned by the people of Hartlepool, Hartlepool Borough Council [HBC] is the guardian of the residents.

“HBC is there to carry out the wishes of the residents.

"I as a resident object to any more alterations to the green open space in Rossmere Way, especially the construction of all advertising boards requested in this application.”

Five additional objections also raised concerns such as how the boards could be vandalised and attract anti-social behaviour.

However a council planning report ahead of the meeting from officer Stephanie Bell recommends the proposals are approved, noting the police and community safety officers raised no objections.

She said: “The applicant has indicated on the relevant section of the application form that they (the applicant) are not the owner.

“Notwithstanding this, ownership of the application site is not a material planning consideration and therefore this matter cannot be considered in the determination of this application.

“The proposed signage is considered to be acceptable and the application is recommended for approval.”

A decision will be made at the planning committee meeting streamed live via YouTube from 9.30am on Wednesday, October 7.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.