Langton Green All-Weather Pitch Project (AWPP)

The aim of this page is to provide information on the pitch project and its on-going status.

Update: 01/02/2024

The Artificial Grass Pitch planning application is now on the TWBC portal:

24/00235/FULL | Creation of 3G Artificial Grass Pitch with perimeter fencing, hardstanding areas, storage container, floodlights, access footpaths, tree removal and replacement planting | Langton Green Recreation Ground Speldhurst Road Langton Green Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 0JJ (midkent.gov.uk)

It is comprehensive, informative, and detailed. Using the link above it is possible to make comment on the project, which you are encouraged to do.

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Initial Information: 26/01/2024

The background:

  • The proposed location of the AWPP is on the land adjoining the Rec on one side and Ashurst Place on the other. This land is not owned by Speldhurst Parish Council (SPC). Langton Green Community Sports Association (LGCSA) has a long-term lease on the land. This area has been used as a grass football pitch for several decades. We are now seeking permission to create an all-weather pitch (AWP) there.
  • LGCSA has already completed two projects that have brought significant investment to the area i.e. The Pavilion (2015-16), and The Rec Renovation Project (2019-2020). For both these projects the funding came from LGCSA, in partnership with the Football Foundation and were completed at zero cost to local taxpayers. This would also be true for the AWPP.
  • To gain the necessary funding from the Football Foundation, LGCSA first needs to obtain planning permission for the project. We then need to convince the FF of the benefits of investing approximately £1.5 million into this project. Neither is a small task. The proposition needs to be sound, comprehensive and to demonstrate significant and tangible benefits to the community.

What has happened so far?

  • The Football Foundation has successfully built many such AWP’s all over the country. They seek organisations and projects that will deliver on their ambitions and objectives. LGCSA has exponentially grown opportunities for children’s sport over the last decade and have a clear vision for future developments. This history and strategy have ticked the FF’s box to the extent that they were willing to take over the considerable work required to prepare the planning application.
  • On Jan 24th, the FF posted the planning application on LGCSA’s behalf. This will be viewable online once the application has been validated.
  • LGCSA have already invested time and effort to demonstrate to the FF how the AWPP would be used. These plans will be communicated to the broader community of interested groups and individuals when finalised. It’s no secret that LGCSA has one of the very largest football activities in the south of England, with over 800 playing members. There are some obvious benefits to LGCSA having access to its own AWPP rather than spending the over £80,000 per year that we presently spend renting from others. However, unlike most AWP’s in the region, which are on a school premises, the Langton Green AWP has the potential to be enjoyed extensively by a wide range of user groups and age groups for day-time activities as well. Amongst the activities under discussion are keep-fit classes, football for seniors, beginners football, women's football (for all ability levels), football for minority groups, American flag-football, hosting of multi-sports activities in winter for schools with waterlogged playing fields, and so on. The potential to be a community asset is enormous.

For now, we await the validation of the planning application, which will allow everyone to see the proposal online, and start to comment. 

On this page we will try and supply information as it develops to ensure that all interested parties are well-informed and up to date.