Dear Club Members and local community,
Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL) has given statutory notice to Cullercoats Football Club (CFC) notifying CFC that NWL will be undertaking flood alleviation works at the CFC Links Avenue grounds commencing on 16th November 2015. These works will impact on club activities for a period of circa 9-12months.
We understand that the works are essential to deal with the localised flooding risk along the Broadway and support these proposals in principle. Due to the ‘permitted development rights’ of NWL, the club must allow the works to proceed. CFC do not yet have full details, but believe that the works will likely involve the following:
- Installation of below ground level storage tank (35m long x 15m wide) adjacent to the 9 a-side pitch;
- Installation of below ground level pipe(s) linking current combined sewer pipes on the Broadway down the side of the senior pitch to the storage tank on the lower pitches, which will then link to pipes offsite;
- Creation of temporary works compound (porta-kabins etc) on the site (close to Wansbeck Ave);
- Access requirements for plant and equipment likely (TBC)
The works involve excavating part of the 9 a-side pitch, as well as works down the Links Avenue side of the senior pitch, which will inevitably lead to disruption and inconvenience to club activities.
The 9 a-side teams will need to operate from Monkhouse Primary School and the junior pitch will be repositioned closer to the Whittingham Road side and away from the Links Avenue side of the lower pitches.
The public rights of way behind the club house and across the middle of the pitches may be affected and are likely to be diverted. Access to the grounds from Links Avenue is not likely to be possible.
NWL have committed to minimising impacts directly on the senior pitch, and redesigned their proposals in order to avoid direct impacts to the senior pitch. NWL have committed to day time working only to avoid working during evening matches and training, and NWL are unlikely to work on Saturday mornings. NWL state they will adequately reinstate the lower junior pitches following completion of their works to FA standards.
CFC will endeavour to hold NWL to all commitments made. The club are entitled to compensation and have made several representations to NWL outlining the CFC Committee concerns. CFC are in dialogue with NWL regarding community support and have requested some form of NWL sponsorship for the club in the short-medium term.
As part of the club’s commitment to the local community and its members, we would like your views on the NWL proposals so that we can represent your views to NWL.
Below is a short questionnaire. Please complete it in MS Word or similar and email it to [email protected] or if you would like to express your views in writing, or have any specific queries you would like NWL to answer please email: [email protected] and CFC will pass these on to NWL and endeavour to obtain answers on your behalf.