Club is already too much for residents

By jdoffman

I REFER to the article of June 12, concerning the planning application for a new clubhouse, changing rooms and an all-weather pitch for Boldmere Falcons' site on Sheffield Road.

May I take the opportunity to clarify part of the article concerning the residents affected by this proposed development as the main area will be the residents in Boldmere Drive, Boldmere Road and Blackham Drive.

The erection of a new clubhouse, all weather pitch with 10m high floodlights and additional car spaces is the area bounded by the above three roads. The residents in Marston Road and Sheffield Road will be affected by additional traffic using the rear entrance.

With regard to the comments made by Mr Nick Lowe of Boldmere Falcons, I am compelled to correct certain statements.

The meeting held on April 6, which residents were invited to, was called by the football club to present their plans for the expansion of the clubhouse. It was only during this meeting that officials of both clubs were forced, very reluctantly, to listen to the objections of local residents.

Neither club was able to deal with residents' concerns on the night and both the football club and sports club were forced to issue a written reply in an attempt to resolve the complaints.

These complaints have not been satisfactorily answered and a considerable number of objections have been made to the planning authority.

It is not a question of residents being concerned about property values; the residents are concerned about the disturbances, caused by the whole club, ie Boldmere Sports Club in its entirety, without splitting the clubs, throughout the daytime over a weekend and also into the early hours.

Although Mr Lowe says the planning application is to improve facilities, the residents are saying that the use of the existing facilities has already reached saturation point.

The football club has published a document indicating it wants to use the all-weather pitch for five days per week until 10pm and at weekends until 8pm, in addition to the weekend use of the other grass pitches.

At no time for a number of years has this club shown any consideration to the local residents in the way members behave.

We have been completely ignored when the club has been telephoned about excessive noise levels.

While the football club wishes to meet the needs of 400 youngsters, when will the sports club give consideration to all the residents in this part of Boldmere?

The people using the premises do not have any regard for the disturbances they cause.

Would Mr Lowe explain why the football club wishes to replicate the facilities of Aston Villa at Bodymoor Heath, where the nearest residence is over half a mile away?

There is more to life than football.

Michael Holder, Sutton Coldfield.