Cherries academy recommended for approval

AFC Bournemouth’s plans for a new multimillion-pound training complex on the site of a former golf course will go before councillors next week (14 December 2017). They are recommended for approval subject to referral for a final decision from the secretary of state for communities and local government.The club submitted an outline planning application to Borough of Poole Council to redevelop the 57-acre Canford Magna Golf Club site in August.Proposals include 13 outdoor pitches, including three with floodlights; one indoor pitch; and a double-sided spectator stand with changing rooms.A new building will also be constructed for the Cherries first team and academy to support the welfare, education, dining, medical needs of players as well as providing logistics, media, kit laundry and site operation offices.If approved, the facility will bring the Cherries’ first team, development squad, academy and pre-academy training operations and facilities into one location.The club’s existing academy is currently spilt across multiple sites and does not share facilities with the first team.The application will go before Borough of Poole Council’s planning committee on 14 December and is recommended for approval, subject to conditions.The planning officers report also recommends that the scheme is referred to Sajid Javid, the secretary of state for communities and local government, who will decide whether or not to call in the scheme. If no comment is made within a 21 day period, consent can be granted.The recommendation has been made despite seven objections, focused on the principle of development in the Green Belt and a potential increase in traffic. Eight letters of support were also received.