New Development Update

We will keep you as clearly and closely informed of every part of the project as each part of it unfolds.

After two and a half years of negotiations, applying for grants, conforming to conditions, consultations, design and planning meetings and an enormous amount of jumping through hoops, even right at the end, we are finally going to be proud owners of 8 acres of ground with completion due either next week or very early w/c 16th July (we will keep you posted!)

To give you some idea of what that looks like. Well when you are down at Tows next time, all the grass you can see on our existing property is 10 acres and that accommodates, 3 rugby pitches, a cricket pitch and a large training area. You can see it is quite a sizeable addition to Tows!

So, what happens next?

To meet the conditions of the planning consent to change the new land from “agricultural” to “recreational” use, part of the conditions is that we have to do a Flood Risk Assessment at the boundary of the land where a brook forms our boundary! Yes kids, Tows will have a stream….

This as well as other surveys, such as soil etc will have to be done professionally and sent to the SNC planners to show we have complied. Once this it done, there is a time period for it to be signed off! This could be a few weeks, (nothing moves quickly with local government! ☹). So, there will be a little longer to wait before the groundworks begin.

However, there is plenty to do in the meantime. As soon as we own the land the fencing contractor will move onto the land to create the new boundary with the farmer, a 6-foot deer fence with a couple of access gates, in case we have to retrieve any balls….

He will also rip up the existing boundary fencing and small fence separating two of the new fields as well as some tree roots left from the farmer. The land will then be “topped” (grass cut” so you will be able to see and walk round the new property, at least until the heavy work starts! Safari tours will be arranged by Crocodile Davidson….

On August 3rd, Western Power will begin work to remove the overhead power lines which are in the way of us expanding Chesil beach! They will also be connecting to the clubhouse a new larger supply of electricity (250 KVA’s for all you technos!) to cope with the extra power needed for the new training lights and future hockey pitch, tennis courts and additional clubhouse!

A new trench with cabling in, will then be dug out to where the new training lights will be situated.

Following the removal of the existing boundary and power lines, work will start on making pitch 3 (Chesil) to widen it and re-site it slightly so we can get the floodlights on it! CGM our ground consultants lead by David Elkington, will do some work on it to make it playable for this coming season. The main restoration, levelling and drainage works will begin asap in the spring.

So that leaves the installation of the training floodlights for Chesil. The lighting contractors are now scheduled to come in w/c 3rd September and be ready for the new season.

Please see the latest designs incorporating all the proposed parts of the project and the facilities they will provide. A large-scale version of this will be available to view in the clubhouse as well as any further updates.

As previously mentioned, volunteers will be needed to help clear the land, have a bonfire etc.

Working parties, like the ones organised by the Rugby Section are a great way to get things done quickly and economically and make a huge difference, as can be seen by the recent weeks work!

A huge thank you to all that participated in the recent working party, it has made a big difference to how we look.

Updated 15:00 - 30 Aug 2019 by Paul Smith