Angmering Sports Hub Project – Palmer Road

The following questions (1-5) relate to the existing Palmer Road recreation ground.

1. How often do you currently use Palmer Road recreation ground?

1. How often do you currently use Palmer Road recreation ground?

Response	Number of responses
Everyday	62
Once or twice a week	62
A few times a month	18
Several times a year	24
Hardly ever	17
Never	25

 

2. What do you currently use Palmer Road recreation ground for? 

2. What do you currently use Palmer Road recreation ground for? 

Response	Number of responses
Football	60
Cricket	23
Walking	94
Basketball	2
Children’s play area	52
Informal recreation on the public open space	27
Sports and social club	18
Other	19

 

3. How often do you use the existing sports and social club building?

3. How often do you use the existing sports and social club building?

Response	Number of responses
Everyday	4
Once or twice a week	39
A few times a month	12
Several times a year	19
Hardly ever	18
Never	116

 

4. What do you currently use the sports and social club building for?

4. What do you currently use the sports and social club building for?

Response	Number of responses
Changing rooms	40
Toilets	62
Bar	47
Meetings/events	20
Socialising with friends	38
Other	8

 

5. Are you currently part of a local team/club?

5. Are you currently part of a local team/club?

Response	Number of responses
Yes	86
No	62

Team / club

Response	Number of responses
Angmering FC	9
Littlehampton Town Youth FC	7
Angmering Cricket Club	7
Worthing Rugby Club	4
Rustington Otters FC	3
Littlehampton Cricket Club	1
Other	7

 

The following questions (6-8) relate to the proposed sports hub and access.

It is proposed that the new Angmering sports hub at Palmer Road recreation ground will comprise the following facilities:

• Community sports hub building
• 3G all-weather pitch with floodlights
• Natural grass pitches for adult and youth football
• Artificial grass cricket wicket
• Multi-use games area (MUGA) for netball, basketball and other sports
• Children’s play area
• Car and cycle parking

 

6. Do you support the proposal for the new Angmering sports hub at Palmer Road recreation ground?

6. Do you support the proposal for the new Angmering sports hub at Palmer Road recreation ground?

Response	Number of responses
Strongly support	91
Somewhat support	31
Neither support or oppose	4
Somewhat oppose	8
Strongly oppose	72
Unsure	2

 

7. The preferred vehicular access to the new sports hub is via the development to the north (Option 1). The alternative option is from Arundel Road via the existing pedestrian access route (Option 2). Do you support a new access to the sports hub?

7. The preferred vehicular access to the new sports hub is via the development to the north (Option 1). The alternative option is from Arundel Road via the existing pedestrian access route (Option 2). Do you support a new access to the sports hub?

Response	Number of responses
Strongly support	84
Somewhat support	25
Neither support or oppose	13
Somewhat oppose	4
Strongly oppose	74
Unsure	8

 

8. It is intended that the car park will be managed by Arun District Council. Would you support the use of this car park to assist families at school drop off and collection times?

8. It is intended that the car park will be managed by Arun District Council. Would you support the use of this car park to assist families at school drop off and collection times?

Response	Number of responses
Strongly support	82
Somewhat support	29
Neither support or oppose	20
Somewhat oppose	6
Strongly oppose	66
Unsure	5

 

The following questions (9-12) relate to the facilities proposed on the new sports hub recreation ground.

It is proposed that the recreation ground will comprise a 3G all-weather pitch, natural grass football pitches, an artificial grass cricket wicket, MUGA (multi-use games area) for netball, basketball and other sports, children’s play area, car and cycle parking.

9. Do you support the facilities proposed for the recreation ground? 

9. Do you support the facilities proposed for the recreation ground? 

Response	Number of responses
Strongly support	90
Somewhat support	30
Neither support or oppose	5
Somewhat oppose	6
Strongly oppose	75
Unsure	2

 

10. Which of the new facilities proposed for the recreation ground would you use regularly?

10. Which of the new facilities proposed for the recreation ground would you use regularly?

Response	Number of responses
3G all-weather pitch for adult football teams	32
3G all-weather pitch for youth football teams	63
Natural grass pitch for adult football teams	36
Natural grass pitch for youth football teams	54
Cricket pitch for adult teams	30
Cricket pitch for youth teams	26
MUGA for netball	6
MUGA for basketball	13
Children’s play area	64
Car / cycle parking	48
Informal recreation on public open space	64
Other	27

 

11. Are there any other sports/facilities that you think should be provided on the new sports hub recreation ground?

11. Are there any other sports/facilities that you think should be provided on the new sports hub recreation ground? 

Response	Number of responses
Yes	53
No	123

 

12. Which items of equipment would you like to see in the new play area?

12. Which items of equipment would you like to see in the new play area?

Response	Number of responses
Zip wire	103
Climbing unit with slide	112
Swings	121
Seesaw	41
Spinning bowl	12
Trampoline	67
Balancing beams	54
Roundabout	17
Other	15

 

The following questions (13-14) relate to the new community sports hub building.

It is proposed that the new building will include changing rooms, showers, toilets, flexible hall and community space with food and beverage provision.

13. Do you support the facilities proposed within the community building? 

13. Do you support the facilities proposed within the community building? 

Response	Number of responses
Strongly support	97
Somewhat support	28
Neither support or oppose	10
Somewhat oppose	5
Strongly oppose	65
Unsure	3

 

14. Are there any other facilities that you think should be provided within the new community building?

14. Are there any other facilities that you think should be provided within the new community building?

Response	Number of responses
Yes	72
No	124

 

15. Do you have any other comments about the new sports hub proposal?

15. Do you have any other comments about the new sports hub proposal?

Response	Number of responses
Impact on residents due to noise/lights	24
Site layout – issues for cricket matches	17
Safety of new access route Option 2 /additional traffic	14
Future site management/security	9
Site layout – proximity of car park to residents	9
Site layout – facilities mix	7
Lack of access for dog walking	6
Site layout - size of pitches e.g. cricket and 3G	4
Impact on wildlife	4
Drainage issues	3
Oppose the scheme due to cost	3

 

Other comments

Other comments	Number of responses
Supportive of scheme e.g. provision of new 3G facility, positive impact on local area, keeping people active	22
General objections	14

 

Additional facilities

Additional facilities	Number of responses
Racket sports (e.g. tennis, paddleball, pickleball)	16
Other ball games (e.g. boules, volleyball, netball, hockey)	15
Gym/outdoor fitness equipment	12
Cricket nets, grass cricket wicket and storage	10
Sheltered seating and storage for cricket matches	7
Athletics track/all-weather surface for walking	5
Licensed bar	5
Skate park/ ramps	3
Swimming pool	3
Boxing	2
Exercise classes	2
Youth club	2
Snooker/pool table	2
Public toilets and changing places toilet	2
Climbing/bouldering wall	1
Rugby	1
Sky sports tv	1
Storage for football teams	1
Walking football	1

 

16. What is your age group?

16. What is your age group?

Response	Number of responses
12 years and under	4
13-18 years	11
19-25 years	22
26-39 years	61
40-60 years	76
61-74 years	26
75+ years	6

 

17. Please provide your post code if you are happy to.

(All personal information will be collected and stored in line with General Data Protection Regulations, GDPR)

125 responses:

• Angmering (Decoy Drive): 18
• Angmering (Palmer Road): 20
• Angmering (Arundel Road): 7
• Angmering (Other): 34
• Poling: 1
• Littlehampton: 22
• East Preston: 3
• Rustington: 10
• Worthing: 10
• West Sussex (Other): 2
• Brighton: 1

 

18. How did you hear about this survey?

18. How did you hear about this survey?

Response	Number of responses
Social media	43
Arun District Council website	21
Word of mouth	90
Poster / banner	8
Email / letter	47
Angmering Parish Council website	20
Other	16

 

Feedback from external stakeholders

Football Foundation

• Show pitch dimensions and run-offs and space between pitches.
• Review scope to reconfigure the east end of the site to provide pitches with recommended dimensions.
• Provide cubicle toilets in changing rooms rather than urinals to allow flexibility of use.
• Ensure banked viewing areas do not impede ability to move pitches in future.

Sussex Football Association

• The Local Football Facilities Plan originally identified the need for 2 3G pitches at this site  but has been reduced to one following discussions. If the 3G pitch was increased in size to 100x64m there would be scope to accommodate 2x 9v9 pitches which would help meet the high demand for youth football.
• Add recess area on the west of the pitch to avoid moving goals long distances.

Sussex Cricket 

• Pavilion design meets many ECB requirements.
• Provide shelter near pitch.
• Pitch sizes for adult and junior pitch provided.
• Facility vital for local club use.

Sport England

Approached the following National Governing Bodies (NGBs) for comments and received following responses 

Football Foundation:

• Playing Pitch Strategy shows shortfall of 3G pitches, with Local Football Facility Plan identifying need for two full size pitches at Palmer Road. In discussion with ADC this was reduced to one pitch.
• Local area has 42 teams who play 9v9 football.  Football Foundation preferred pitch size is 91x55m but there are justifications for a full size 100x64m pitch, to allow two 9v9 pitches to be marked out and is therefore recommended.
• Plans to allow for 3m run-offs and 2m+ between each pitch.
• Mini soccer pitches to the east are undersized. Either reconfigure to allow recommended dimensions or include one pitch with those dimensions.
• Banked viewing areas are assumed to be bunding. To be moved from useable areas of playing field.
• In pavilion changing consider male toilets match female (replace urinals with cubicles).

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB):

• Broadly supportive of the principle but much to be worked through in terms of usage.
• Supportive of project subject to detailed design, (including ball strike risk analysis), community usage and maintenance plans.

Sport England is happy to comment further as plans are progressed.

Freedom Leisure

• Consider changing windows in changing rooms to doors to enable access without walking muddy boots into facility.
• Retractable wall may not be sufficiently soundproof and limit how rooms can be used together.  A solid wall is preferred.
• Storage is needed for both rooms.
• Allow location for vending machines.
• Office to include service desk to welcome customers and take bookings.
• To ensure sufficient sockets

Angmering Parish Council

• In full support of a sports hub on existing recreation ground which should be delivered as soon as possible and with as little disruption to those living around the proposed area.
• Access must not be via existing site entrance. Preferred access is option 1 through employment site but would support option 2 with mitigations for traffic flow and sufficient pedestrian footpaths.
• Reconsider parking location to remove from proximity to existing properties.
• Essential that car parking is available for school drop off and pick up times.
• Access for public right of way to be maintained.
• Consider sustainability of building and a timber construction.
• Storage to be attached to building not around the site.
• A 2-storey building would incorporate more community spaces.
• Provision of other sports to be included such as cricket practice nets, netball, stoolball, pickle ball, concrete table tennis tables, outdoor gym, accessible sports.
• Inclusion of covered stands for seating.
• Play area to be open access and design to account of research into girl’s use of such spaces.
• Consider proximity to South Downs National Park and minimise lighting spill.
• Anchor club for the site should be an Angmering based team.
• Could commercial area be included in sports hub? 

You said:

• Concern about the impact on residents due to noise/lights

We did:

• Downward lighting has been proposed for the car park to reduce impact on local residents and wildlife e.g. bats. 
• MUGA and play area have been located away from neighbouring residents in accordance with national guidance (Fields in Trust).
•  Lighting to MUGA will be linked to operation times of sports hub (to be confirmed/ subject to possible planning condition). 
• Lighting to the 3G pitch is being modelled by external lighting specialist alongside pitch design team to minimise impact on residents and rural location. Will be linked to operation times of sports hub (to be confirmed/subject to possible planning condition) 
• Re-orientation of 3G has been investigated. Football Association regulations require the orientation to be north-south.

You said:

• Concern about the location of the cricket pitch in relation to building and request for practice nets

We did:

• Shelters to be provided. 
• Proposed location for future cricket nets to be confirmed (subject to funding).

You said:

• Concern about the safety of new the access route Option 2 and additional traffic 

We did:

• Option 1 is the route preferred by ADC and is subject to agreement with the development to the north. 
• Option 2 will need to allow for safe traffic flow on and off site, and sufficient pedestrian footpaths.  This will form part of the transport assessment for the planning application.

You said:

• Queries about how the site and building be managed

We did:

• Pitch booking system to be confirmed.
• Sustainability of the building will include air source heat pumps and photo voltaic panels to reduce energy consumption.
• Opportunity for the community to hire rooms and activities such as fitness classes will be available.
•  Changing rooms are gender neutral and all have the same facilities.
• Café facilities/food provision will be determined by the business case of the operator.
• Litter and dog bins will be located on the site.

You said:

• Concerns about site security

We did:

• Site security methods such as bunding, knee rail, height barriers will be included to reduce the opportunity for unauthorised access. 
• With longer opening hours there is expected to be a greater site presence to assist with security. 
• Site storage container will be secure.
• Door access control to be agreed with the operator.

You said:

• Concerns about the proximity of the car park to residents

We did:

• Car park has been relocated further to the north, away from residents on Decoy Drive.

You said:

• More opportunities for additional sports and activities 

We did:

• Larger 3G is being considered for 9v9 aside matches.
• Potential for 3G pitch can be used for activities other than football, including accessible sports.
• MUGA increased in size so that it can be used for basketball, netball, and outdoor racket sports.
• Outdoor gym equipment shown south of building – location to be confirmed. 
• Line markings on football pitches are indicative and other sports could be played in these areas e.g. stoolball and rounders.
• External table tennis tables could be provided subject to funding. 
• Potential for exercise classes to be carried out in flexible hall space.
• Provision of a larger building has been discounted due to the cost of delivery and lack of commercial viability. 

You said:

• Lack of access for dog walking

We did:

• Site will remain accessible to the public for informal recreation and the area of available public open space will increase. The area of existing public open space is approx. 3.97 hectares and with the addition of the land to the north, the area of available public open space for the new sports hub will be approx. 5.0 hectares.
• Layout will allow space for pathway around site perimeter.  Installation will be subject to cost. 
• Access to existing public right of way (PROW) has been maintained and considered in site layout and includes a connection onto the new access road footpath.

You said:

• Queries about the size of 3G and grass pitches

We did:

• Larger 3G can be incorporated into the design to accommodate 2 youth pitches (9v9).
• Recess to be provided in 3G design to allow for storage of goals.
• Natural turf pitch on eastern side of site has been altered to be 5v5.
• Pitch dimensions allow for 3m runoffs.

You said:

• Concerns about the impact on wildlife

We did:

• Ecology surveys are requirements of a planning application and survey results will influence design plans. 
• Opportunity for ecological enhancements with swales/wetland area.
• Biodiversity Net Gain assessment to be undertaken to ensure there is no overall impact on wildlife. 

You said:

• Concerns about existing drainage issues

We did:

• Hydrology surveys will be required ahead of any works to inform design improvements and proposals will need to be reviewed and agreed through the planning application. 
• Drainage design to incorporate storage solution for runoff from pitches and building.

You said:

• Oppose the scheme due to cost

We did:

• Project is being part-funded from S106 developer contributions and it is intended to submit an application to the Football Foundation for external grant funding.
• A business case will be prepared to assess the commercial viability of the scheme and how the remaining funding will be sourced.  

Palmer Road Recreation Ground is a large public open space in north Angmering, and currently includes a sports pavilion, grass football pitches, a cricket wicket, and children’s play facilities.  It has been identified as a strategic priority within the Local Plan for the provision of a community sports hub.

The recreation ground is currently managed by Angmering Parish Council under lease from Arun District Council and is sub-leased to ASRA – Angmering Sports and Recreation Association.

Our Playing Pitch Strategy (March 2019) assessed the pitches and changing facilities to be of poor quality but that the site overall should be developed as a multi-sport hub site with investment focused on improving grass pitches, upgrading the changing facilities and the provision of one or two 3G pitches.

The Football Foundation’s Local Football Facilities Plan (May 2019) has identified Palmer Road as a priority project to deliver a key site for football, with opportunities for funding to significantly enhance and extend the current provision. 

Outline planning approval (A/122/19/OUT) was granted in 2020 for up to 160 homes north of Palmer Road recreation ground, on land which is not strategically within the Arun Local Plan but is within the Neighbourhood Plan provision. As part of the planning permission the section 106 agreement requires land to be made available for the expansion of current sports pitch provision to form the sports hub to the south of the residential development on Palmer Road recreation ground.

December 2024

The planning application for the Angmering Sports Hub has been submitted and can now be viewed via the planning portal, using reference A/222/24/PL. This application includes the proposed changes to the existing recreation ground only. This is because the land to the north, which is due to be transferred to us, already has planning approval for sports pitches under Redrow's application. The two areas together will form the sports hub project and the planning documents refer to the sports hub as a whole facility. 

The application submission follows the public consultation in the summer which broadly welcomed the proposals. Various changes raised in the consultation were accommodated in the final designs. The project programme is subject to obtaining all the funds needed and the next step is to prepare a grant application for Football Foundation funding.

October 2024

A report is being presented to Policy and Finance Committee on 24 October to update on the public consultation results and revised plans. The committee will be asked to endorse the plans and that these are submitted for a planning application.

June 2024

Surveys have been taking place throughout the month, information from these are helping the project team currently working on the draft designs. 

The consultation image boards are available here in both PDF and image format. Accessible text descriptions of the boards are located under each image. Select an image to see it in a larger size.

Angmering sports hub consultation boards [pdf] 16MB

Welcome to the public consultation for the Angmering sports hub. Arun District Council is excited to share the proposals for the Angmering sports hub project. This is your opportunity to view the plans and tell us what you think. Feedback from the consultation will inform the development of the preferred design.

Project Background 

Palmer Road Recreation Ground is a large public open space in north Angmering, that currently includes a sports pavilion, grass football pitches, cricket wicket, and children’s play area.  It has been identified as a strategic priority within the Local Plan for the provision of a community sports hub, with 3G pitch, improved grass pitches and upgraded changing facilities. 

The proposal aims to:

• help meet the shortfall in sport and leisure facilities in the district
• enhance the quality of the current facilities at Palmer Road, with the opportunity to introduce new activities

The project relies on land to the north of the recreation ground being transferred to the council from the developer, Redrow.  The planning agreement for the housing development required that the additional land would be used for new pitches as part of the sports hub layout.

Funding

The cost of the sports hub is estimated to be approximately £10m. The council is due to receive approximately £3m in developer contributions allocated from local housing developments.  Grant applications will also be made to sports organisations, although it is not certain how much funding could be available. Options for the remaining funding will be considered when more detail is known about the design of the sports hub. 

Programme

The programme to construct the sports hub will depend on how much funding is available.  Options to build the sports hub in phases will be considered. 

Next steps

The public consultation results will be used to update the sports hub plans and prepare a planning application for the scheme. The planning application needs to be submitted in autumn 2024 to enable the land north of the recreation ground to be legally transferred to the council in spring 2025. 

Aerial photo of the existing site:

The image shows an aerial view of the existing recreation ground and a rectangular area adjacent to the west end of the northern boundary.  Together these will form the area of the new sports hub with the boundary indicated by a dotted line. To the north of the sports hub two areas of development are shown. The first is a large area of residential development which is currently under construction and will be accessed from Arundel Road. The second area is a future commercial development and sits next to the northern boundary of the sports hub on the eastern side.

Photographs of the existing site:

The photograph shows the rear of the existing sports and social club, which is a single-story timber building.  Next to the building is a small car park and metal storage container.

The photograph shows the existing sports and social club which is a single-story timber building, with a covered veranda and steps leading to the sports pitches.

The photograph shows the existing cricket wicket and a football pitch beyond. 

The photograph shows a view north across the recreation ground.  The sports and social club is on the right of the picture with existing flood lighting and a basketball court behind.  In the centre of the picture there are grass pitches with trees in the distance along the north and west boundaries.

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The project aims to improve the existing facilities and has been designed to include:

• a new community sports hub building
• one full sized 3G all-weather pitch with floodlighting 
• nine grass football pitches for a range of ages 
• one artificial turf cricket wicket 
• one multi-use games area (MUGA)
• a new play area 

Key

The image shows a site layout plan of the new sports hub which includes the existing recreation ground and the extension to the north. The new area includes the following:

Number 1 – is a cricket pitch, located in the centre of the extended area.

Number 2 -  is a grass adult football pitch measuring 100m x 64m on the west of the site

Number 3 -  shows 4 grass youth 5-a-side football pitches in a block, each measuring 37m x 27m. They are located on the east of the site.

The new extension is separated from the existing recreation ground by a line of trees.  Some of these trees will need to be removed to create space for the new cricket pitch. New planting is shown in other parts of the site. A container is also shown on this boundary which would be used for storage of sports equipment.

The existing recreation ground is the widest part of the new sports hub includes the following:

Number 4 – shows 2 grass youth 7-a-side football pitches, each measuring 55m x 37m.  These are located on the west of the site.

Number 5 – is a 3G all-weather pitch with associated flood lighting is in the centre of the existing recreation ground, and west of the community building.  There is a spectator viewing area to the east and additional viewing bank areas formed around the edges of pitches.

Number 6 – is a multi-use games area which can be used for netball, basketball and other sports is located east of the community building and car park.  

Number 7 – is a car park with a total of 109 parking spaces also includes 6 blue badge spaces and 25 electric vehicle spaces. This is immediately east and south of the community building. 

Number 8 – shows the location of a play area to the north of the multi-use games area.

Number 9 – is the community sports hub building sitting centrally between the 3G pitch, play facilities and car park, in a north-south orientation. There is planting around the building and a seating area to the west. 

Number 10 – shows 2 grass mini football pitches, each measuring 30m x 20m, which are located in the far east of the recreation ground.

Images:

Three photographs showing examples of what a new play area might include. 

A photograph showing a play area with a castle-themed climbing unit and balancing equipment.

A photograph showing a climbing unit in a play area.  The timber unit has three platforms and a slide.

A photograph showing a timber climbing unit in a play area which is wheelchair accessible and includes interactive play panels.

A photograph showing an example of a multi-use games area.  The playing surface is light green and marked out for different sports and surrounded with dark green metal fencing with a goal unit at each end.

A photograph showing an example of a 3G all-weather pitch with flood lighting around the perimeter and goals at each end.

A photograph showing an example of a car park with a concrete and grass surface. The sports hub car park will be managed by Arun District Council.

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The new community sports hub has been designed as an upgrade to existing facilities. The building will include:

• improved changing facilities for players and officials
• storage areas within changing rooms to allow staggered usage 
• pitch maintenance equipment store
• flexible hall and community space for sports, leisure activities, events and meetings
• opportunity for food & beverage provision 
• toilets
• parking for 109 vehicles, some with electrical vehicle charging points

There a ground floor layout plan of the new community sports-hub building which is designed in two parts. 

The right-hand (north) side of the building includes the main door which leads in from the car park past an office on the right.  The lobby area leads to the flexible hall and community space, also off to the right. There is a servery which has access points with the lobby and main hall. The adjacent kitchen can also serve people outside the building. A corridor turns to the left past the toilets on the left and internal store on the right.  At this point there is a door which leads to the changing rooms.

The left-hand (south) side of the building includes four changing rooms for sports teams (two on either side of the central corridor).  There are also changing areas for match officials, a disabled changing space and a physio room. There is a small internal store and team lockers. A door leads outside to the pitches. There are two further stores and a plant room which are externally accessed.  

Images of the proposed building:

View 1 shows an external image of the new building viewed from the car park. The single-story building has a pitched roof and is mostly constructed using bricks, with an alternative vertical cladding material shown in smaller sections.  Windows for the changing rooms are narrow and positioned at a high-level.  The car park is surrounded by low planting.

View 2 shows an external image of the new building viewed from the sports pitches. In addition to the brick and cladding, the elevations on the north and west sides of the building include large windows. They are full height between the floor and roof line with views across the site.  There is a patio area to the west of the building with tables and chairs set out. A low hedge surrounds the building and patio.

View 3 shows an internal view of the flexible hall space which has timber flooring.  The pitched roof with exposed framework and lighting can be seen.  Large windows provide views across the site and the external patio.

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