The transformation of a South Tyneside football club is about to kick-off following the approval of ambitious redevelopment plans by South Tyneside Council.
Hebburn Town FC, which secured a £2million government funding package last year and is affectionately known as The Hornets, will now see its vision for an exciting new chapter in its story opened.
This includes a range of ambitious redevelopment initiatives that are part of a strategic masterplan, including the replacement of its main pitch to a new FIFA Pro-certified artificial pitch and second training pitch with state-of-the-art 3G pitches and new floodlights.
A new South Stand will be built containing modern changing rooms while office facilities, a gym, a club shop, are also on the cards together with a multi-purpose function space, which is earmarked for use as conference facilities and classrooms.
The conversion of an existing building into a centre for community meetings and events will provide a purpose built and beneficial space to host health and wellbeing activities such as Pilates, yoga, karate, toddler groups, coffee mornings and much more.
The Sportsy Bar below the current balcony area will be extended to increase the venue’s match day capacity, incorporating a dedicated stage area for performers and allowing for a more spacious and comfortable area for families to enjoy.
New vehicular access via South Drive and a new main pedestrian access focal point via Victoria Road will also push ahead together with extra car parking spaces.
The move follows last year’s decision to award the club a £2m funding package, which was welcomed by Alex Norris MP, the Minister for Local Growth; Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East; and the chief executive of Hebburn Town FC, Stephen Rutherford.
Planning approval was secured by Sean Hedley, managing director of North East planning specialist Hedley Planning, after he outlined in master plan how the football club and the local community would benefit from redevelopment.
He said: “The transformative redevelopment of the club and fresh investment not only represents a significant milestone in the club’s sporting success and on-going growth, but also a socio-economic commitment to the people of Hebburn and the wider borough of South Tyneside.
“These fantastic plans pave the way to a new era of success for a club, which serves thousands of people in the local area and is woven into the fabric of the local community. This proposal is a collaboration with the Football Foundation, who will be delivering the 3G training pitch on site.
A social and economic impact study reveals that Hebburn FC generates in excess of £4.9m in social value every year. It supports six community programmes for almost 10,000 local people who use its grounds and facilities and provides football for 181 adult players, across six teams. It also provides football for 861 youth players, across 87 teams.
