Hastings lines up £12m ‘sustainable sports village’

Non-league football club Hastings United will relocate to a new 3,000-capacity stadium as part of move to bring a £12m sports facility to the area.

The ground will be built in the Combe Valley part of the East Sussex town alongside a “sustainable sports village”, which will accommodate cricket, hockey, rugby, American football, netball, tennis and petanque.

A sports hall and gym are also being proposed for the site.

Alongside the sports venues will be £58m of housing. The financial package for the facilities has been put together by Burney Group & Sherlock Consultancy in partnership with Keepmoat Homes.

The proposal has also involved the work of Hasting United FC and the trustees of the local Horntye Park sports complex, which is also planning to move to the site, although it will need approval from Sport England and the Charity Commission.

However, the project will need to be given the greenlight by Hastings Borough Council, which owns Combe Valley.

A planning application will be submitted in early 2017. If approved, work is expected to be complete by the 2018/19 season.

According to the club, the development would lead to £70m worth of investment coming into Hastings.

“The project is intended to produce increased participation in sport via improved facilities for all which will result in healthy living outcomes and savings to the NHS,” said a Hastings United statement.

“A substantial amount of new homes will be developed and there will be economic, social and community benefits arising, plus inward investment and vitality at no cost to Hastings Borough Council or the public purse.”