The Saltdean Tigers had an incredible 6-0 victory this week as the Brighton & Hove City Council Planning Committee voted unanimously in support of there planning application. The proposal includes plans for a state-of-the-art 3G pitch, a new spectator stand with covered seating, a new clubhouse with changing facilities, and improved parking and cycle parking,
The Saltdean United Legacy plans have been driven by a group of volunteers at the club who have been working behind the scenes for more than two years. The vision has always been to improve the football facilities for all current and future Saltdean United adult and youth players, to provide an all-weather pitch for all teams to train at the club throughout the year and to increase our offer to the local community.
“These plans and the people behind the club are what drew me to want to be here. With this project now going forwards allow us to make a real community club that can make a difference to all of our players, from the first teams all the way down to our Under 7’s. The players at the club are very excited to be here during this time and be a part of the journey.”
Bradley Sweetman, Men’s First Team Head Coach
With over 200 young players registered at the club, the new development will make a huge difference to local families who are currently having to travel all over Brighton in order for their children to train on 3G during the autumn and winter months. To have this facility in Saltdean will enable the club to reach out to more young people and offer pitch space to local schools and colleges.
“This is a huge step forward for the club and underpins our ongoing commitment to youth development by providing brilliant facilities”
Walter Mathews, SUFC Youth Football Liaison & Under 15’s Coach
The design of the clubhouse and site has been crucial to get right, given our position on the edge of the South Downs National Park. We have been very lucky to work with Sandy Scott at LA Architects who has been sympathetic to our brief and very patient all the way through the process, working closely with the committee and taking on board the input from our football coaches, catering team, club staff and volunteers. The result is a fantastic modern building that meets all our needs as a club and reflects the agricultural surroundings.
Throughout the process we have engaged with many consultants and specialists to work on all aspects of the planning, from ecology and environmental to transport and sustainability. Chris Barker and Sam Sykes at ECE Planning have been instrumental in getting our planning application across the line. A huge effort from them, guiding us through every step of the planning process, coordinating all the various consultants and working closely with our designated case worker.
The committee and all involved at Saltdean United are delighted with the result, not least long-standing committee member, former player and former youth coach Andy Brown, and Club President Rod Flavell whose commitment, vision and support has enabled this project to come to fruition.
“I joined Saltdean United in January 1987 and had the pleasure to play football with some of the legends of the club, who sadly are no longer with us – Jim Bower, Julian Appleton and Donny Martin. All three of them made amazing contributions to our club’s infrastructure in their time.
I think about the events of this week and know they would be proud of all that we have achieved, taking Saltdean United FC and the local community forward in creating the next generation of facilities for all involved in our club to enjoy in the coming years.
I would personally like to thank the officials at Brighton & Hove Planning office, ECE and all our advisory consultants plus all the hardworking volunteers especially Iain Fielding, Lisa Norman, and Kate and Andy Brown without who’s persistence we would not be looking forward to the exciting development phase of our legacy project.”
Rod Flavell, SUFC President
As a club we have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we have received for our project from the community, and look forward to delivering an excellent sports facility for all to enjoy for many years to come.
“It has been a dream of mine for many years to have a development like this. So my deepest thanks go out to everyone who has devoted so much time, energy and funds to bring this project to fruition. It is something the whole of Saltdean United Football Club and the local community can be proud of.”
Bob Thomas, Chairman – Saltdean United Football Club
Thank you to our partners, sponsors, and the organisations that have shown us an enormous amount of support so far this season and are part of our ongoing journey.
