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Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Mark Angear (20th Jan 2012 - 11:37:25) After picking up this weeks issue of the Liphook Herald and turning to page 3 I found the article about the mens team facing possible relegation due to the fact there pitch is too small. I can not believe that with a small local team as successful as ours that the local council seemingly won't get behind our local team in making a decision on new facilities. I have been part of this club for just over 2 years now and the hard work and dedication that goes into it from everyone at the club is second to none. We currently have 15 youth teams providing over 200 local children football every week yet during the winter months because we have no flood lights we have to train on a second rate astro-turf pitch at a very high cost. Put that together with continuing success of the mens team I simply can not believe that the local authorities can not make a decision on new facilities, yet they can always seem to agree to put new homes everywere. I have lived here for over 20 years and in those 20 years the Village has grown enormously in population and housing, yet local facilities have remained the same. poor. Liphook United is one of the most supported clubs in there league both at home and away games and I do seem to recall we take 2 coach loads and numerous others to the cup final's each year and even to the Isle of Wight. Just a shame the local council can't get behind this. Rant over.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Gordon (20th Jan 2012 - 19:43:51) Mark What you must remember is that the Parish Council are far too busy stitching each other up, making slanderous comments and accusations about past and present councilors which ultimately results in further resignations and more elections thus wasting even more of OUR money. You dont honestly believe that they have time to take an interest in local affairs and support one of the best community activities in the village. They should visit the recreation ground on a Saurday afternoon and see in excess of 100 spectators young and old supporting the success of a well organised and supported club. I know also that the Cricket Club are in a similar position, having to play youth games outside of the village. Heres hoping for those 6 numbers on Saturday night.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - NeilP (21st Jan 2012 - 09:10:07) Well said Mark! About 250 of our children play football every weekend, proud to wear the badge of Liphook United Football Club and to represent the village of Liphook across the county and beyond. They look up to the achievements of our Men\'s and Ladies\' teams and have clamoured to have their photos taken with members of the teams. Some even turn out to support at senior matches. In this shallow age of celebrity, Liphook United Men and Ladies are role models to our youngsters for what can be achieved through dedication, teamwork and hard graft. Parish Council, it is time to stop your procrastination. Let\'s see what you can achieve. Neil Pirie Liphook United FC Youth Secretary

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - arthut (21st Jan 2012 - 12:14:22) Mark, as you know I’ve been a Pompey supporter (sorry) since the 50’s and when I can, I go to support Liphook United too, who as you say, are doing really great at the moment. We all know jolly well that the leagues depend on our kids successfully coming up from these grassroot clubs. We told the owners of Bohunt Manor in the town at their public meeting some years ago that Liphook desperately needed better football facilities. Now they’ve got planning permission to do just that, it’s a pity as you say that the local council can’t get behind this and make it happen. I find very strange the recent comments by Chairman Don Jerrard that the council does not want to allow floodlights in the South Downs National Park, given that there are already floodlights next door at the Bohunt School and given that such a large number of local people put their names forward to support these facilities. Besides, we are all familiar by now with new low spillage lights used at some smaller grounds in the higher leagues, so just what can their arguments be against going ahead? I do question why the local council is acting as if its responsibility is to the South Downs Park instead of addressing the needs of the parish of Liphook. The town really does need such facilities to support our youngsters. Your point is spot on that the parish and district councils have allowed the town to grow massively but without ensuring that public amenities keep pace with the growth. Judging from last week’s Herald, they are going to put in yet more housing but no new facilities. Football is one of the best ways to get the people involved in healthy outdoor activity and Liphook United involves a huge number of the youngsters in the town who deserve better.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - helen (21st Jan 2012 - 12:46:28) I do not think that Bohunt school is in the National Park? I think that the issues surrounding the Bohunt Manor land are seperate to actually paying for the land and new buildings required I think the Parish Council' funds may not be enough for all that? I presume you are asking them to pay for it all?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Dave (21st Jan 2012 - 15:38:01) It's a shame that the PC appear to give limited thought to the younger, more active members the our community. I feel fairly certain that there will be more widespread support for the football club than for so many of the other schemes in which the PC seems to get involved. And before you ask - no I'm not a teenager I have reached three score and ten.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Chrissy (21st Jan 2012 - 20:40:50) The football club do a lot of fundraising to try and improve facilities. As a parent from one of the youth teams, we desperately need somewhere to train in the darker days/evenings, the parents put a lot into the club as do all the members, it seems that everyone expects them to do well year on year but aren't prepared to assist in any other way!!

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Irene Ellis (21st Jan 2012 - 22:31:29) Please can someone tell me why the pitch cannot be turned round? I am sure there is a good explanation all though I cannot think of one except it may run over the cricket pitch if they still play there. Irene

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Mark Angear (22nd Jan 2012 - 09:17:15) I do think it is rather comical and rather shocking that a club that has been going for over 100 years and provides so much to the local community does not seem to have much support from the local council. You no full well that if it was any other local Village in the area that they would get the backing they needed. No one expexts the council to fund it all and why would we expexct that, thay cant even make any decisions without arguing with each other. To many hidden agendas i think. We have a superb team working on behalf of the club extremely hard to ensure we are now a chartered standard club and to try and secure funding for new facilities. And if it was as simple as just turning the pitch around i am sure we would. But that would effect the youth pitches that are also up there to cater for the 15 youth teams and the fact that we would still require flood lights.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Jane (22nd Jan 2012 - 14:52:33) Hi Just a suggestion - what about the pitch that use to be at ontario or the pitch that use to be used by bramshott boys school behind Yew House, are these pitches still there? can they be turned around with help from the council? prehaps this would be a less exepnsive option for them to fund rather than creating new pitches........

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Jay W (22nd Jan 2012 - 17:44:07) Ask Liss Football club about the trouble they have had with Liss Parish Council and the Newman Collard playing fields! My son joined Headley a few years back when Liphook couldn't keep a team running for his age group - they must have the knack of dealing with the PC because they have floodlights and decent pitches. Mind you, we do a lot of fund raising and run tuck shops on match days so the kids don't have to pay match fees - when we were with Liphook they didn't do anything like that.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Lucy (30th Jan 2012 - 21:56:41) I couldn't agree more Mark. It's a shame that the success of our village team could end so easily because of the say so of the council. Everyone in Liphook should be proud of the team's achievements and look forward to them continuing. I would be very interested to hear the councils reasons for not wanting to improve facilities.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Dawn Hoskins (31st Jan 2012 - 00:22:03) I am sorry, but why are the Parish Council getting blamed for this? Why do people assume that the Parish Council do not support a new pitch? I know I am a new Councillor, but from what I have seen the people I am on the Council with have nothing but support for all the organisations wanting to make use of the Bohunt Manor Land. At the council meeting tonight there was a long discussion about it - all positive I might add. I have said before, I am not on planning - so don't know all the 'ins and outs', but if we don't own the land we can't do anything with it can we?! I really don't understand why it is the Parish Councils fault and would appreciate someone explaining that to me.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (31st Jan 2012 - 01:38:05) I an sure that everyone agrees Liphook needs improved facilities but they will not get them on Bohunt unless and untill houses are built on Bohunt as that is where the money to pay for a new pitch is coming from and not everyone wants houses on Bohunt do they?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - jeanette (31st Jan 2012 - 13:08:41) Well said h. Chicken and egg situation with Bohunt Manor. Those developers certainly know how to play on people's emotions! Tempt them with allotments, surgeries and sports facilities - and forget to mention that they also want some 250 houses built - on the South Downs National Park!

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - arthur (31st Jan 2012 - 13:31:02) Statements made by Councillor Don Jerrard - leader of the discredited “Justice and Anti-Corruption Party”- have sought to stir up hostility towards the football pitches and the essential floodlights proposed at Bohunt Manor. Parish Councillors elected him as their Planning Committee Chairman last year and we understandably take his views to represent the whole Council. So Dawn, please do not pretend that you don’t know why the public “blames” the Parish Council for the desperate lack of proper football facilities.Even though the owners of Bohunt Manor seem to be willing to provide the parish with these and other public facilities here which many of us requested, Councillor Jerrard has adopted a staunchly anti-Bohunt Manor position (undoubtedly for purely personal reasons rather than for the benefit of the parish). Meanwhile other developers are pushing through massive housing estates in the town without providing any public benefit whatsoever and without pressure or discussion from the Parish Council and its Planning Chairman regarding the real needs of the town.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - peter (31st Jan 2012 - 16:59:57) Why not put the dammed houses on Bohunt land, forget about Lowsley and then at least we get our pitches and maybe a new surgery maybe also allotments whatever they may be for.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - liz (31st Jan 2012 - 17:01:16) There is no planning permission for floodlights for the football field on the Bohunt site. - Perhaps because they would be extremely intrusive - both for local residents and into the National Park.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Lucy (31st Jan 2012 - 17:20:57) Please forgive my ignorance but why can't the Rec be adapted as needed instead of moving to the Bohunt Manor estate?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (31st Jan 2012 - 17:47:46) Who would not be tempted by the thought of having all brand new facilities and a new club house bought for them, and land paid for by developers money? The issue of allowing 450 houses seems to have been forgotten? The two issues go together.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - peter (31st Jan 2012 - 18:18:23) you cannot tell me that there are no floodlights at any sports pitches throughout the southdowns park? take Petersfield for example, then all the towns from Alton, Winchester to Brighton or wherever this park ends. Will these clubs and schools and groups now have to remove their floodlights because they are in the park ? I think not! Someone mentioned low light spillage lights for sports pitches above, and surely this is a solution. Also, is the park not there for our benefit, and if that includes sports pitches with floodlights, sorry low spillage floodlights, then we should get them because that is exactly what we need. The parish council was elected to represent the needs of the people of Liphook first and foremost, why are they so pro-park to the detriment of Liphook. We really need new pitches for our great local clubs, and this need should be foremost on the parish council s agenda. We need these pitches and we need floodlighting so these pitches can be fully utilised. The floodlighting can be low spillage, so can someone tell what is important here. Please.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - liz (1st Feb 2012 - 09:23:46) What is important is preserving as much as possible of the excellent countryside that we are fortunate enough to live in, particularly greenfield sites. I know some people don't agree, which I think is very sad - that used to be a priority in Liphook. If providing one football pitch comes at the expense of massive new housing and other development it appears excessive. While I have no objection to better facilities for our local club(s) I think there seems to be an exceptional amount of emphasis on the local community having to provide facilities for just one or two sports - when the Parish Survey indicated that people wanted more diversification. That appears to be conveniently forgotten. I know that a National Park does not by any means rule out development (including floodlights!) - we are not Winchester or Brighton.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (1st Feb 2012 - 10:03:23) There is no dispute there is pressure for new facilities, but the Parish council do not own the Bohunt land, and do not have the cash to buy the land themselves. It is not only the land purchase which has to be thought of there is on going maintenance costs, the floodlights will break down and need repairs? if portsmouth football club are struggling, and they charge for admission why should a local parish council have the huge expense of maintenace of the new facilities? In these straightened times everyone should consider the long term effect. The parish council do not own this land dont forget, why should they develop other peoples land for them?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - liz (1st Feb 2012 - 11:29:10) It's all smoke and mirrors. As we have seen recently, the design and access statement with the application for allotments on the Bohunt land said they would be managed by the 'Parish Council' (as are other allotments in the area). Now it appears they will be private allotments with nothing to do with the PC/local authorities. (Mind you, this may have changed again - you can never tell!)

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Michael (1st Feb 2012 - 13:20:22) liz, h, This is part of the report given at the Council meeting on Monday. Liphook United Football Club, They have 17 youth and 3 adult teams with 280 registered players who all get training and most get games each week, if they have 2 people who watch them each week this totals nearly 900 villagers involved weekly. They are a self funded club with a turnover of around £30,000, their biggest expense each month is to Bohunt for use of their facilities. This is raised by registration and match fees, small sided tournament (£6,000) attracting 1000 players, inter club fun day, and numerous smaller fund raising events. On a match days we sell pitch side sponsorship where up to now 20 local businesses have advertising banners. We play at Liphook rec where we own our clubhouse, (most villages use council owned facilities), we purchased it from the cricket club about 20 years ago. Before they owned it it was the builders tea hut from when the Berg estate was being built. We used to have use of 2 more pitches at Ontario Camp but the army put a stop to that. The Council do not pay for any of our facilities we pay them a yearly license fee. We are a charter standard club which means that any funding needed can come from grants from, Football Foundation, Grass Routes Football, The Sports Council and the National Lottery. There was a lot more said at the council meeting but sadly you were not there to hear it. We are not asking the council to pay for anything, we are asking them to help find suitable land, which we have been doing for over 7 years, for other facilities.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - liz (1st Feb 2012 - 16:46:40) Were there any suggestions as to how the land would be paid for?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (1st Feb 2012 - 16:58:47) When you say ask them to help you find suitable land for other activities what do you mean? do you have the money then within the football club then to buy your own land? surely if land is for sale it is advertised? If you do not have the money youselves, then someone has to pay for it surely?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Michael (1st Feb 2012 - 17:26:32) liz, As i said you were not at the meeting so do not know what else was said and by who, If you were there you would know the answers. Also the giveaway in my post was the word \'grants\'. h, activities? know not from where this came.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (1st Feb 2012 - 18:02:07) Do you think then a grant would cover the whole cost of buying land? The land at Bohunt will now be expensive. The language used by a previous poster " help identify land" was almost exactly the phrase used by the Gospel Trust who put in an application, later refused on Bohunt. I presume that identification of land means a bit more than this simple phrase appears to!

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Dawn Hoskins (1st Feb 2012 - 23:40:07) arthur, If you knew me you would know that I never pretend about anything. I really do not know what you are talking about. I am not trying to be rude. Please can you explain calmly, to me to your knowledge, what is happening that makes you think the current parish council have done things against the football club. regards Dawn

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (2nd Feb 2012 - 09:48:43) I think that it may be the developers who are trying to alienate the public against the parish council, they may want to force the situation with the district council who will possibly, if the pitches go ahead, end up as owning the land, as in terms of future Bohunt developers contributions agreements, the possibility exists that the land for sports facilities has to be given free of charge to the district council. Why not force the Parish council to buy land from\them and get a good price, if at a later stage you may be forced to give it away? get a good price now why not! Then the parish council has to give it away!

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - liz (2nd Feb 2012 - 09:51:59) So the pitches are dependent on hoped for grants, presumably not agreed as yet. Is there any reason why you can't tell us what was said at the PC meeting? In this day and age there is no reason why everyone should have to turn up in person to hear what is going on.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Mark (2nd Feb 2012 - 12:39:36) Dawn - if you was at the meeting then you would have known about the report MICHAEL posted being put in at the meeting, you would also know that DON JERRARD went round in his canvasing in Liphook prior to the elections telling all he supported the football club and that he also personally help funded the redevelopment of a certain pitch local to where he lives in Greatham, now he is elected his stance has changed and everything promised to Liphook FC over Bohunt Manor was a bunch of lies, this is why Liphook FC now have put 2 of their own committe members to attend these PC meetings because of the lies coming out. Something has to be sorted now otherwise Liphook FC will cease to survive, as of next year we also now on top of the 3 mini soccer grassroot pitches we run at the REC will have to add a 4th and new goals to allow for the new 9v9 football for the U11's being put in place by the FA and the NEHYL, we currently will have 2 teams playing that then in 2013-2014 a 2nd pitch will need to be supplied as 9v9 will be in place for U11 & U12 with Liphook FC having 4 teams playing. The men & lady teams have put Liphook on the Map with their succes and with the success of the youth sides coming through we are 1 of the best clubs in this area, I find it strange how the Tennis Club and Bowls club have flood lights at the rec but the football club can not. I have been a member of Liphook FC for over 6 years now running and setting up several sides and being the mini soccer coordinator and have seen very lack of support from the PC. MICHAEL FANTASTIC REPORT

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (2nd Feb 2012 - 13:27:47) what lies are coming out now? Who promised you what exactly? The power to decide lies with the districtcouncil what they allow on Bohunt land, as I said before why buy land at an expensive price when the developers have to possibly provide it for free anyway? You say you own your own clubhouse at the recreation ground can you not improve facilities there until it is decided? Why are you paying one thousand pound a month to Bohunt school? What is that for?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Editor (2nd Feb 2012 - 14:55:36) The following is a link to an EHDC guide on developers contributions and other planning requirements www.easthants.gov.uk/ehdc...

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Gaffer (2nd Feb 2012 - 14:56:28) I took over the running of the men's side of the club back in 2005/2006 when it seemed destined to fold due to lack of support from anybody outside of the 30 men playing in the team, i had played in the side for 6 years prior to this and although there wasn't massive support from the community a few diehards still continued to be ever present spectators at the recreation ground for home fixtures. This in tandem with my love of the game and local area meant i committed to run the team until things were sorted and someone better suited for the job stepped forward(as i was only 22). after running it for the first year and inheriting no less than 7 players from the Liphook Youth team that season i felt this was a cause worth investing my time in! At the end of that season i agreed to continue in my role as manager but felt with the number of local lads showing interest in playing for the club again and more people now starting to come and watch at the rec i would give it my best shot to turn the club into a successful one like it was many years before. To give the people of the village something enjoyable to watch and also something to be proud of. I then put together a 5 year plan for the club and said that if i recieved a little support from different areas i could get the club playing senior football which evidently would mean we could enter the FA cup(it would of been the preliminary rounds but nonetheless would of been a proud moment for myself and possibly many others). People then went and spoke to other people and i was told that if i could somehow come through with my side of the bargain which was to win successive promotions from the lower leagues and then solidify our position in Step 7 of the Football League pyramid there would be facilities ready for this step up. Perfect i thought, we won the Surrey Intermediate Div 1 and got into the Surrey Intermediate Premier Division(Part one of my side complete) We decided a respectable finish in the league that year would be our aim as finishing in the top 4 meant you could join the newly formed step 7 League that was to be called the Surrey Elite Intermediate Division and that we would make a big attempt to win the Hampshire Cup a competition which would be a new and welcome addition to the trophy cabinet, we managed to finish 4th in the league and made the Hampshire Cup final after playing in the Isle of Wight in the semi final and taking 2 coaches of spectators across on the ferry with us!(I felt the support was unbelievable but in being so was showing me that the backing of the club was being welcomed in further areas of the community) We went on to take 200+ people to the Final which we eventually ran out 2-1 winners(What a night!!) This was a proud moment for me and many others that got to share it with the team.(Part 2 of my side complete) I was then showing interest in what was going on in terms of the facilities development as we were looking good to fulfil our side. I was then shown a scale plan of the new playing fields that were going to be with us very soon!!! Talk about put the pressure on the team as it seemed everything was moving in the right direction, the community was growing more involved with what was becoming a good local side with local players and facilities were being looked into. We then went on to ply our trade in the step 7 league and the aim was to compete and show we were able to sustain our place in the top 2 of the table, we did this narrowly missing out on winning the league by 1 point. We had managed to finish in a high enough position to allow promotion to the Step 6 leagues but unfortunately didn't have the facilities to do so although the team that finished above us by 1 point did and are now sat comfortably in the top 6 of the Senior league they play in. We decided that moving to the Hampshire Premier league which was also a step 7 league was a good move for us as while waiting for facilities it would also give ourselves chance to prove we were ready for the step up. We moved and it proved to be stronger league and after attracting a few more local lads back to the club we went on to finish 5th and regained the Hampshire Cup (200+ spectators) also our reserves went on to play in the Aldershot Junior cup with them reaching the final which they eventually lost but gave the players the chance to play at Aldershot Town FC's version of our very own Recreation ground. things were moving forward all around now so it was now time to win the league and show we were ready for the final step up!! We brought through some more young local players and managed to attract the final few older local lads that had moved away to play a higher standard of football earlier in their careers. This was our chance to prove ourselves as worthy candidates to play a higher level of football within the village if we hadn't alredy done so.(The Liphook equivalent of the recreation ground was now itself seeing between 150-200 people watching on some saturday afternoons) We went on to win the League that year, retain the Hampshire Cup again our reserves also won their league and their league cup, 4 trophies wasn't bad but it was also an indication we were ready to move forward. We hadn't heard anymore on the facilites side so re-entered the same league in hope that it would be ready one more year down the line as this group of players wasn't getting any younger!!! We now top the league again, are still in all 4 competitions we entered at the start of the year including a semi final meeting with Gosport Borough (4 divisions above us boasting Steve Claridge in ther front line) and it doesn't seem too obvious what may happen next year in terms of facilies!! My point in this thread is not to bitch about anyones right or wrongs, its just to say i thought when something is worth supporting in your community there would be more showing their backing!! My thanks go to everyone who has helped along the way but i fear the worst in terms of the teams long term future as a successful team and may need rebuilding again to challenge long term for trophies 'standing still is as good as going backwards' so as long as people are not criticised when they leave the club in the future (as they all were when they left previously) then i think we will just say this was one of those adventures that was nice while it lasted!!

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (2nd Feb 2012 - 16:01:02) Well done for your achievements, it would be interesting to know then who exactly promised these facilities with detailed plans so many years ago? Was it the landowners at the time? Did they put anything in writing to you?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Mark (2nd Feb 2012 - 16:02:10) GAFFER - well put, and if it is read correctly then everyone will understand why we are disapointed. MY HAT OFF TO YOU

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Dave (2nd Feb 2012 - 16:07:20) Well said. An excellent summary of the situation and I fully understand your frustration. As with most success stories our PC and their "associates" will not get behind you unless they see something in it for their ego trip.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Liphhook United FC (2nd Feb 2012 - 19:10:59) Liphook United Football Club would like to clarify that opinions voiced on this site are the views of the individuals who are posting the comments and not those of Liphook United Football Club. Liphook United Football Club do have a representative (Michael, also known as Fred) who attends the Parish Council meetings representing the views of the Football Club. His accurate postings of events can be seen post meetings on this site. We as a Football Club are fully committed to working with the Parish Council to strive to obtain better facilities for the benefit of everyone in the future. Finally we would like to thank the many members of the community, young and old who continue to support the Football Club.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Dawn Hoskins (2nd Feb 2012 - 19:21:22) I was at the Parish Meeting on Monday and heard a very excellent history of the club etc. It received full support from the council. I know that Councillor Jerrrard, along with others is very passionate about local football. I do not know however what has been said to make the posters here feel so cross with the Parish Council and as councillor I would really like someone to spell it out. If you feel that you don't want to say names etc on here, then please e-mail me at purplecurly@hotmail.co.uk I really am anxious to get to the bottom of this - so please, can someone just say what the Parish Councill have done. Have they gone back on their word, or broken a promise, or what? I fully apreciate that we have a good football team to be proud of. We also have a great cricket team and a tchoukball playing European matches. We are wellserved [alas no rugby] and rightly proud of our sporting clubs. I should add that I have no idea what any of the councillors said in their election material (and am not sure if that is relevant but someone mentioned it earlier so it may be?).

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Chris (2nd Feb 2012 - 22:34:46) In 2011 the Government announced proposals for a Community Infrastructure Levy as part of their Localism proposals. In broad terms this requires a developer to make a fixed contribution for each new house built. With over 400 new homes planned to be built in Liphook this new legislation could provide a huge opportunity for the community. Below are some extracts from the Government’s publication: “Using new powers introduced in the Localism Bill, the Government will require charging authorities to allocate a meaningful proportion of levy revenues raised in each neighbourhood back to that neighbourhood. This will ensure that where a neighbourhood bears the brunt of a new development, it receives sufficient money to help it manage those impacts. It complements the introduction of other powerful new incentives for local authorities that will ensure that local areas benefit from development they welcome. Local authorities will need to work closely with neighbourhoods to decide what infrastructure they require, and balance neighbourhood funding with wider infrastructure funding that supports growth. They will retain the ability to use the levy income to address the cumulative impact on infrastructure that may occur further away from the development.” “What is infrastructure? . The Planning Act 2008 provides a wide definition of the infrastructure which can be funded by the levy, including transport, flood defences, schools, hospitals, and other health and social care facilities. This definition allows the levy to be used to fund a very broad range of facilities such as play areas, parks and green spaces, cultural and sports facilities, district heating schemes and police stations and other community safety facilities. This gives local communities flexibility to choose what infrastructure they needto deliver their development plan.” The key words are those in the last paragraph “ This gives local communities flexibility to choose what infrastructure they need to deliver their development plan”. Not individuals, planners or councils, but the Community collectively. The key to all of this is input into the Parish Plan. Working together there is a huge opportunity to influence the future of our community and its facilities, including sports facilities.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - liz (3rd Feb 2012 - 08:57:04) In the Parish Survey local people called for more diversified amenities. Also there (appears to be) broad agreement that there already plans to build too many houses in Liphook. Another 400 houses may get you a football and cricket pitch but it also puts huge strain on other resources - so we will need another 400 houses to fund more 'infrastructure' and so on. I know Liphook has to grow but at the moment it is growing far too quickly in my view - and without a proper plan in place. We need broader agreement about what is really needed. This is not a criticism of our football and cricket teams by the way. I just happen to feel that Liphook has not coped particularly well with the Sainsbury's development, will struggle with the influx of people from housing plans already underway and that the development of the Bohunt Manor estate could be the last straw in terms of volumes of people moving in and the loss of what remains of the rural character of the village.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - arthur (3rd Feb 2012 - 09:55:55) I am sorry Dawn that you seem unable to read the growing sense of frustration in the town with the Parish Council. I am a supporter and ex- football player who believes in healthy outdoor activity for young and old alike. We see the town slowly being filled up with housing estates but we do not see the public facilities being provided by those developers or by the councils, which would make the lives of people more healthy and fulfilling. Just when there was a glimmer of hope that new football facilities might at last be achieved in the town, along comes your Chairman of Planning in the Parish Council saying that he does not think it is appropriate to put these facilities in the National Park. Well please tell us, just what is the National Park for if not for the wellbeing of the people who live here as well as for protecting the environment they live in? Does Councillor Jerrard speak on behalf of the Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council when he refers, on 8th December on this website and after becoming Parish Planning Committee Chairman, to the new pitches at Bohunt: “As the son of an academic and a mad keen football supporter I am all in favour of better libraries and football pitches, but in the right place and not at the expense of another housing estate right by a nature reserve in the National Park”? Besides Jerrard being wrong about there being a nature reserve anywhere near this land (according to the Natural England website), his real thoughts are clear - no development including public facilities or jobs or anything in the National Park. A look at the National Park website will show that even they are not so fanatical as Jerrard is and they do support responsible development within the National Park. Perhaps Jerrard would like to suggest where else in the town he would like to see such facilities? I am not one with an axe to grind with the Parish Council and nor am I interested in local politics, except where it interferes with my love of football! So I would just like to see you and the rest of the council putting your energies into helping the local football club gain their essential facilities, which they really do deserve and desperately need. In case you think that my sympathies are biased, can I add that I also agree with calls on this website for more proper jobs in the town as discussed here in the topic “More new homes”, better shopping and better facilities in the town for other sports too - cricket, tennis, skate park, tchoukball, as you yourself admit we need. And by the way, I am quite calm, thank you very much.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (3rd Feb 2012 - 10:38:13) I agree with what you say arthur in part but the football pitch will never go ahead unless the houses get permission also, the developers would not work that way and they own the land. They only have to provide these facilities if houses are built as well. They have spent at least 5 years on expensive planning agents they are not doing this for love of football! There is a lot of opposition to houses being built on that land, the two go hand in hand. That is the delay, nothing to do with the Parish Council, who cannot afford to go ahead with the project out of their own money. Have you read the previous developers contribution article as well? The District Council will decide what happens.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - liz (3rd Feb 2012 - 10:49:54) arthur Your comment.. "nor am I interested in local politics, except when it interferes with my love of football" worries me a bit as it underlines a key concern of mine that we may lose a huge amount for "the love of football" just because of a powerful football lobby, when there are so many other issues. I cannot support the view that just because an area of landscape is not a designated nature reserve then it should be fair game for development. Do we really want Liphook to become yet more suburban sprawl?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (3rd Feb 2012 - 12:19:11) Have the football club and supporters thought of approaching the owners and offering to buy the land privately? under the terms of the new localism bill this is possible, for the community themselves to own the assets? As you are paying one thousand pound per month to Bohunt then it would seem you have funds!

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Dawn Hoskins (3rd Feb 2012 - 12:34:23) Thank you Arthur. I do realise that people are getting cross and frustrated with the Parish Council and that is exactly why I am trying to understand what they are cross with us about. From you last post, I think, what you are saying is that the football club are cross with the Parish Council because someone from planning has concerns about floodlights. If floodlights are the only issue I don't think people would have the strenght of feeling that you do Arthur, so I must be missing something again. I did not say you were not calm, I just wanted the facts without a rant. I have now got some of the facts, so can speak with the relevant people about it. However, we are still talking about a peice of land that we [Parish] do not own. Am I to ask about floodlights for the pitch you currently play on or the pitch you think you might get if the housing development goes ahead. What I mean is, do you need permission for them, right now? Can someone confirm please. ps Councillor Jerrard may have exressed reservations about it but it is not the PC who wold decide but the South Downs National Park in any event. There was a large sum of money raised locally for floodlights on the skate park, which sat in reserves for years because the floodlights were not aproved so close to housing. Maybe that was in his mind as it was so recent?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - r (3rd Feb 2012 - 12:35:57) liz, im interested what you consider to be 'suburban sprawl'. As i believe this would be just houses for people commuting to jobs in another location, buying groceries from a national supermarket chain and spending their money away from this 'sprawl'. Surely the development of local sports facilities for local people, a local surgery for the community, and allotments for the people of the parish would not be an increase in suburban sprawl but a community incentive/project. If this comes at the cost of having 450 new homes, which when you think about it will be built anyway whether on bohunt manor or somewhere else, then so be it, lets build a community, and not alienate 'outsiders' moving into these new houses

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - liz (3rd Feb 2012 - 14:02:23) r Have you any idea how much strain another 450 houses (on top of those already planned) would put on existing infrastructure? Siting a new football pitch and medical centre would be the least of your problems! Your vision for Bohunt sounds just like suburban sprawl to me, particularly as a very large proportion of the residents would commute and shop at Sainsburys..... I think its a pity that some people attach so little value to the beautiful countryside that we are so fortunate to live in. We have to have growth, but not at the rate Liphook has seen recently.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Gaffer (3rd Feb 2012 - 14:40:42) Just try to remember the Football Club was only asking for support in terms of getting new facilities, we didn't say we were supporting anything in particular we just asked for improved facilities to support a very good local team, it seems that these things are unattainable in the current climate. We asked, we were told it would happen, it hasn't!! Thats all, no relevance to housing etc just wanted support from someone locally, not necessarily developers just someone to help out. We were willing to obtain additional funding from sponsors, local businesses, grants. I think there is a major issue with people mixing the housing up with the facilities. We asked for help thats all, we were told no problem!! Anyway like i said before, it was good while it lasted. I hope the local clubs in the area can continue to survive solely with the support of people involved as it seems to me if its not directly benefitting any particular individual then its of no interest whatsoever. I suggest those continuing the housing debate start a new thread as this was about a football pitch being improved!!

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - liz (3rd Feb 2012 - 16:52:33) Gaffer Unfortunately, like it or not, the fooball pitch has become part of the housing debate as it seems we cannot have one without the other. (Unless someone comes up with a stunning new idea- let's hope so!).

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - h (3rd Feb 2012 - 17:46:48) A new pitch at Bohunt it seems was promised, but yes that will not happen without permission for houses. Improvements to existing facilities at the recreation ground could be requested surely? The floodlight issue would bother me yes if I owned a house near the pitch, some years ago security lights affected me by glaring in from my neighbours house across the road. No one has answered me as to why one thousand pound per month is paid to bohunt school? what is this for? The joint core strategy for the National Park may take a while.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Gaffer (3rd Feb 2012 - 19:33:31) liz, when we asked we were told they would try to help us get a new pitch(no houses mentioned) thats all ,the plan has now involved both, this doesn't help us either way, my point once again is we asked for help to support something good in the village, nothing else!!! h, its to pay for the use of the very poor astro pitch (with floodlights by the bohunt manor site) which we have to train on as we have no other facilities.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - M (3rd Feb 2012 - 21:40:33) I know this did not start as a housing thread but when you look at the front page of the Liphook herald today the heading OSU Plan just what we need, yes the first of the extra houses is coming 58 Barret homes and a care home on the old OSU site YET NO MENTION of facility improvements for the Football club or other clubs, so how do the two go hand in hand????

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - liz (4th Feb 2012 - 13:01:26) m The proposed football pitch etc and associated housing development likely to be needed would be on the Bohunt Manor site, which has nothing to do with the OSU site.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Deadly (5th Feb 2012 - 13:58:35) Someone did mention earlier in the thread that the Tennis Club and Bowls club both have floodlights, I presume with permission from someone in "authority", and I suspect some rules as to what times they are allowed to be switched on. Would there be widespread condemnation against floodlights surrounding the football pitch at the Rec? After all I very much doubt they would be on every day, just once or twice for midweek games. Training may still have to be at Bohunt astroturf pitch while the club await any long term facilities (yadda yadda, depends on housing blah blah). Is it just a lack of floodlights that is holding back the club achieving a higher level of competition, or are there other facilities that need addressing also for them to take the next step up?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Deadly (5th Feb 2012 - 14:16:57) Apologies, have noticed on Mark's original post that the pitch is too small. How much by exactly, are we able to tweak the angle anyway to achieve an extra yard or two, or are we scuppered by the path outside the nursery school? As the Parish Council are very interested in this thread, maybe they can spend the time working with the club in making the Rec capable of delivering the pitch requirements, and the work can be carried out in the summer. Then the council chairman can cut the ribbon (or Finchie if he's available) at the grand opening, milk the applause and we can have a village party into the night - woohoo! Failing that we can talk about housing for 20 years and wonder why all our kids are playing for Liss, Grayshott, Headley and dare I say it Haslemere!!!!

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Chris (6th Feb 2012 - 20:20:24) Someone mentioned Ontario pitches that were once in use until the army stopped their use. This land is still there, under-used and not in the village. No-one to upset with floodlights and probably surplus to military requirements. If there are funds available or grants to be had why can\'t the Pc & LUFC work together and see if this site is available to purchase. There are lot\'s of local business\'s who sponsor each and everyone of the teams at LUFC , along with the sub\'s the kids pay to represent this village of ours. This is how the club, along with all it\'s other efforts can afford to pay Bohunt school the extortionate fee for it\'s sub standard A.T.P. I sponsor one of these kid\'s teams not for any other reason than to let them full fill their passion and to give them the opportunity to learn plenty of valuable life skills like discipline, hardwork, team spirit, pride in their community the list is endless. Our kids need opportunity to succeed and belong to this community because without them there will cease to be one. This village shows again and again what community spirit it has and as a local builder I would certainly be prepared to help LUFC build a new club in my spare time if this is what it takes. Why don\'t those that can \'do\'\' and those that can\'\'t shut up and let the rest of do something positive. I\'m not interested in what the PC or anyone else can\'t do to help solve this problem tell us what you can do without any bull and empty promises. So?...

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Derek (7th Feb 2012 - 16:00:24) Someone has asked before but had no answer, but what is the reason for not turning the pitch around 90' ? This was suggested 30+ years ago because of drainage problems on the top Left corner (Haslemere road end) of the pitch, but at the time the cricket club also had use of the grounds so could never be completed. It would take up no more space and any youth pitch could also be re-located Ontario has no services at all, no water, drainage or power. the old changing rooms( no longer there) used calor gas lamps, it also used to suffer with major vandalism.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Dawn Hoskins (7th Feb 2012 - 18:45:03) Derek, As far as I know, it can't be turned as this wipes out the cricket pitch and the junior training areas. perhapd Fred can shed more light on it ?

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Fred (8th Feb 2012 - 16:39:22) Yes Dawn, Had a very successful meeting with the council on Monday, they are now awaiting written confirmation from the cricket club that they no longer wish to use the square at the rec. When this arrives they will then be in a position to turn the pitch around and start plans to make changes to the changing facilities, all of which is needed to continue to play at the same level (not be relegated), even though they look like winning the league again this season. The junior pitches will then be resited within the rec.

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Fred (8th Feb 2012 - 17:00:00) Also at this meeting a sub-committee was set up (that i am also part of) to look for land that can be used for new facilities so the team are able to move up to the level they deserve. Four pieces of land within the parish have been identified (not including Bohunt Manor) and these will be looked at in greater detail as to their suitability for these much needed new facilities. 4 years ago we were given promises that were not kept this time i'd like to try and get them to keep any promises made. I would like to thank everyone who has been supportive of this thread, and i ask you to keep posting and let the ones against realise it is a worthwhile commitment to our village. To those of you who have offered help either on this thread (Chris etc) or personally to the football club please keep in touch as i feel we could need your services sooner rather than later. Fred

Re: Liphook United Facilities / Pitch - Jmp (8th Feb 2012 - 17:54:36) It sounds like good news!! Keep up your good work, you will get there in the end, hopefully sooner than later!

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