Planning request submitted for development of Racecourse
Published: 27 May 2022
Derby Racecourse football pitch image
Leisure development specialists Alliance Leisure, in partnership with Derby City Council have submitted a full planning application to Derby City Council for the development of the Football Hub at Derby Racecourse, enhancing current provision.
This exciting, proposed provision of a Football Hub will see the development of the current Derby Racecourse. There will be considerable improvements to the existing site by increasing car parking spaces by over 200 and improving entry and exit to the site to significantly help traffic movement around the local neighbourhood. The development will create a vibrant community hub with an open and accessible café space and flexible community spaces. The football development will see 3 new full-sized floodlit 3G pitches alongside the existing 3G which will enhance the home of the Derby Junior Football League and the Derbyshire Girls and Ladies League hosting over 250 matches each weekend.
The project is part of a national Hubs programme led by the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation with the aim to offer an alternative and sustainable solution to the long-term future of grassroots football. It is anticipated that the new development of the Football Hub will support the increased demand for football in Derby as identified in the Playing Pitch Strategy.
Engagement with the community has highlighted the need for a community hub in this area of Derwent with a broader range of facilities for the local community. This development will improve the play and recreation facilities for young people and their families along with creating more habitats for wildlife.
The planning application will be accompanied by a range of technical documents covering matters such as community engagement, noise, traffic generation, car parking and ecology.
Subject to planning consent being granted, work on the Football Hub is set to commence in early 2023.
Commenting on their plans for the Football Hub, Will Gardner Alliance Leisure Business Development Manager, said:
We are looking forward to delivering this project by bringing together specialist partners who can create a relevant community asset for the local area. Alliance Leisure pride ourselves on delivering quality facilities and the Football Hub will be no exception.
Cllr Jerry Pearce, Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Leisure and Public Spaces, said:
The aim of this scheme is to upgrade and improve facilities for grassroots football in Derby. We look forward to this next, important stage.
Lee Rider, Senior Delivery Manager, Football Foundation said:
The Foundation are supportive of the Councils plans for the Racecourse site and believe that the impact locally will be significant for both sport and wider users of the park when complete.
See the Football Hub website for updates and information regarding the project.