The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Max Griggs on Nene Park http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-no ... e-28236273

Someone has obviously been having pre-submission discussions with ENC's planning department but why the LA would announce this puzzles me.

"East Northamptonshire District Council said a developer was due to submit an application to redevelop Rushden and Diamonds' Nene Park ground "in weeks".

I wonder if BBC Northampton got wind of this proposed development and approached ENC for their comments.

Anyway if the application is shortly to be submitted then it will be available to view on the LA's web-site and then we can all see what Cousins (and others) have in mind.

Interesting that ENC mention the 'leisure provision' requirement and I suspect it relates to the covenant for the main stadium pitch.

Bulldoze it please!

In a utopian world when I am looking at the good of the whole of football in the area the NFA would buy/or lease it and use it as their headquarters.

They have outgrown the offices in Duncan Close, which have no grass of 3g facilities. The place could then be used to host all training courses, seminars and CPD events. League and County Cup finals could be held there and an investment in a 3g pitch could be made. Over a twenty year period I would estimate the cost at a lot less than Arsenal have just paid for Alexis Sanchez.

I know this won't be to everyone on here's approval.

SouthRushdenJFC wrote:In a utopian world when I am looking at the good of the whole of football in the area the NFA would buy/or lease it and use it as their headquarters.

Good call, in fact this is exactly what the Cambs FA did about 7-8 years ago and re-located their headquarters to HIston's ground at Bridge Road. In fact they financially contributed to the main stand extension and other internal alterations.

Trek wrote:

SouthRushdenJFC wrote:In a utopian world when I am looking at the good of the whole of football in the area the NFA would buy/or lease it and use it as their headquarters.

Good call, in fact this is exactly what the Cambs FA did about 7-8 years ago and re-located their headquarters to HIston's ground at Bridge Road. In fact they financially contributed to the main stand extension and other internal alterations.

I also actually agree david, that would be perfect...as long as cousins doesnt benefit too much. Would be so sad that " the house that max built" will just get bulldozed. A shame to see it just sitting there rotting really.

Three of Diamonds wrote:

Trek wrote:Leisure use makes sense, particularly with the covenant for the stadium pitch. As for housing, absolutely no chance in that location in a flood plane situation and also it's not part of the Local Plan.

Did Peter Wilson, the owner of the Sports & Exhibition Centre, ever follow through with his plan to make internal alterations to the Centre which he sought Planning Permission for 18 months ago?

I believe the S & Ex work is ongoing, but just on the subject of Mr Wilson he does have a small plastic pitch and 3 floodlight pylons with 8 floodlight lamps on. Might it be worth the club approaching him about this for our own use or to consider taking off his hands at a small price?
Anyone got a link to the sources of the Nene Park info please?

Unless things have changed in the past year or so, the problem with the all weather pitch is that the electricity supply was from the main football stadium & controlled from there. When the electricity was cut off at Nene Park Mr Wilson had to organise generators to keep the nursery & sports centre (now occupied by Diamonds Gym club) going.

Some interesting comments from a local labour candidate
http://www.votegarvie.com/nene_park_sho ... _community

They include:
"I think it's a crying shame that the Conservative run East Northamptonshire Council will consider allowing this site to be redeveloped at a time when we have AFC Diamonds, one of the biggest non league football clubs in terms of membership in the whole country, desperately searching for an opportunity to come home to the district."

and
"It really is time for the Conservative Party members who will ultimately decide if this site is redeveloped to sit up and take responsibility for providing better footballing facilities in the district for the hundreds of players from various different teams. The council also need to sit down with AFC Diamonds and help the club find a permanent, viable and sustainable site to build a long term future in East Northamptonshire."

I wonder if the sitting MP will also comment - perhaps he can make use of his Essex roots to open a dialogue with the owner.

Excellent, if typical, opposition statement.

The response from Mr Bone will be much more important, if he deems a response worthy.

The Council, of course, might be pressured into their own response if local Labour-types actually feel strongly on this issue?

Maybe the Labour candidate needs to realise that we don't want to go back there.