London Irish planning appeals dismissed

who the fug

Looks like London Irish are deep in the mire , unless a sugar daddy appears real soon or there is a plan Z the future is limited.

Robbo

Can I get a potted history on this? Was there some kind of land swap deal that was contingent on this planning?

who the fug

The offical Spin is here

But the main driver was a badly needed profit on the deal to clear our long term debt.

We have 6 weeks to appeal , then we could end up joining Richmond and London Scotish

irishbucsfan

The IRFU should buy the franchise.

freyners

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The IRFU should buy the franchise.

surely there would be some sort of conflict issue there, a foreign rugby union running another unions club, players being released and stuff like that?

irishbucsfan

freyners wrote: »

surely there would be some sort of conflict issue there, a foreign rugby union running another unions club, players being released and stuff like that?

London Irish are not the RFU's club, and the player release deal is (I believe) between the clubs and the RFU. The IRFU would just agree to adhere to the player release scheme that is already there regarding English players.

I don't think it has a hope in hell of ever happening though!

CatFromHue

I don't think there would be a conflict of interest. The RFU don't own any of the clubs as it is and they have had a very fractious relationship with them. There was never any problem when London Irish was made up of Irish players and look at the owners and South African players at Saracens.

With the Aviva still being paid off (I think) and the current recession LI would have to be very cheap and have their debt very small before the IRFU would look at getting involved with them.

freyners

irishbucsfan wrote: »

London Irish are not the RFU's club, and the player release deal is (I believe) between the clubs and the RFU. The IRFU would just agree to adhere to the player release scheme that is already there regarding English players.

I don't think it has a hope in hell of ever happening though!

not a prayer of it happening alright, be interesting to see it though:D

Sea_point

Won't happen to my mind, way too much water under the bridge and too risky an investment for IRFU.

Their current academy structure would be completely compromised by the IRFU getting involved, and without the right calibre of players coming in the Club would be goosed...

Digifriendly

Links in Posts 1 and 3 do not seem to work for me. Could anyone please copy and paste some of the text or post link that works.

Eoin

1st link:

he Secretary of State has dismissed two planning applications in Lower Sunbury for the London Irish Rugby Club.

The first application was for a new training ground on the site of the current Hazelwood Golf Course off Croysdale Avenue and the second was for development of their existing training ground off The Avenue for 194 dwellings (12 with associated workspace), site for a health centre, care home and public open space.

The decision follows a public inquiry held over 11 days in June this year following Spelthorne Council’s refusal of both planning applications.

Councillor Richard Smith-Ainsley, Deputy Leader and Planning Cabinet Member said: “We are delighted with the decision that the Secretary of State has taken. There were substantial concerns about both applications including the loss of urban open space by developing The Avenue site and concerns about the impact on the Green Belt and noise at the Croysdale Avenue site. We hope this decision sends out a clear message to all developers about the importance of both our urban open space and Green Belt in the Borough.”

2nd link:

Exiles' future riding on planning appeal
By Alan Manicom
June 08, 2011

Chief executive Andy Martin insists the future of London Irish is resting on the outcome of this month’s planning appeal into their proposed new £14 million training complex.

Exiles want to build 194 homes on their current base in The Avenue, Sunbury, and use the cash to finance a purpose-built headquarters on the site of the nearby Hazelwood Golf Club.

Spelthorne borough councillors rejected the proposals in April last year, claiming there was not a big enough housing need in the area to justify the loss of open space.

The delay has seen the cost of the facility rise by £2m, but the club is hopeful that the council’s decision will be overturned by Caroline Spelman, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The appeal began yesterday and will run for at least another fortnight, but a ruling is not expected before November.

Martin said: “This is pretty crucial to the future of the club.

"We are creaking at the seams at Sunbury where we currently have the professional squad, a top England Academy and an amateur side with 1,000 members.

"The new facility would help us address the current issues surrounding health and safety, child protection and the lack of rotation of pitches.”

Exiles, who play their matches at Madejski Stadium, plan to have four full-size training pitches as well as 13 junior pitches at Hazelwood.

And Martin continued: “We have the most successful junior and mini programme in England.

"The pros mix with the under-7s. We run some of the biggest mini festivals in the south of England and an extensive programme with schools.

"Squeezing that all in at Sunbury is difficult.

"The new facility will enable us to cope with the extra demand after this year’s World Cup.

“We would also look to host a side in the 2015 World Cup.

“The new facility will enable us to attract world-class talent and we will be able to offer Spelthorne Borough Council the use of the pitches for other sports such as cricket or football.

“We can also continue to help local schools by offering them our nutrition, sports science and coaching expertise.

“We have worked with the council and made considerable progress.

"The scheme now involves the minimum number of houses possible and includes provision for a care home and an additional doctors’ service.

"It is now down to fundamental planning laws.”

Chelsea Football Club tried and failed to gain permission to redevelop the Hazelwood site in 2002, and eventually built a new training site at Elmbridge, Cobham.

Martin added: “The locals there are very appreciative of the impact on the local community and economy.

"Spelthorne has the chance to experience the same now with London Irish.”