The battle by the club to stay at Broadwater will continue and there is no planning permission to build on it yet. However, the reasoning behind Dacorum’s recent decision to turn down the Town Councils’ unanimous application to make Broadwater an ACV incudes such gems as:

The Council considered the clubhouse activities as ancillary to the main use as a football club and therefore not relevant.

The eligibility criteria for our five teams does not include having a local connection.

No evidence was provided that the spectators of the matches are primarily from a large part of the local community.

The Council considered the representations by the Freehold Owner which confirms the intention to sell the property for future development.

The Panel determined that it is not realistic to think that the Property could be used in way that would further the social well-being or social interests of the local community in the next five years.

The Town Council cannot appeal but could go to judicial review at a great cost. There is nothing to stop the club or other community members putting in a fresh application.