See also our more recent story of 5/8/08: All weather pitches: “community’s views must be heard”


Land at Bitterne Park Secondary School could be used for all weather mini pitches and a licensed “clubhouse”, managed by an outside company.

The intention is to secure additional PE and sports facilities for the school on an underused part of the site, at no cost to the school.

Although no planning application has yet been made [Update July/Aug 08: an application has now been made - click here for more information and click here to read about the community campaigin aganst this proposal], the council’s Cabinet has already agreed in principle that land could be leased to an outside company to “finance, build and operate all weather mini pitches, associated changing facilities, a licensed bar and car parking.”

A similar facility has already been set up in Millbrook, offering 5-a-side football through an outside operator. The council is also consulting schools at Preston, Luton, Swansea and elsewhere, where similar centres are provided by operator PlayFootball. Other companies have been invited to tender for this project against a specific design brief.

The scheme is likely to involve converting some of the existing tennis courts as well as nearby grassland currently used for “informal recreation”. If the scheme goes ahead it’s unlikely to be completed before next summer.

An application to the Secretary of State to dispose of playing field land to a third party through a lease, will require a ten-week term-time consultation with the local community, as well as consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority as the school is on the flight path.

Click here to read about the community campaigin aganst this proposal

You can read the council report about leasing the land here and its decision here (pdf files).