Journal - 11-04-2018:
Local football club lodges plan for artificial football pitches
Plans to build two artificial football pitches in Monifieth have been submitted to council planners.
The 3G pitches will be located in the town’s Marine Drive, next to three existing pitches, if Angus Council gives the plan the green light.
Applicant Monifieth Athletic FC has teams competing in age groups from under-9s to under-19s and also runs a coaching school for young primary-aged children.
The club has been investigating how to improve the facilities at the Riverview pitches since the start of the year and has been fundraising for the development.
The new facilities will also include a wire mesh fencing and floodlights around the perimeter of the pitches.
The application states: “The facilities are proposed for use by all age groups, therefore it was felt that to locate the proposals to the far east of the site, furthest from the pavilion, would present difficulties in connection to access to welfare facilities.
“The purpose of the lighting is for the all-season surfaces, not for any of the existing surrounding pitches, and will be focused on the correct area within the proposed fencing.
“The provision of year-round use of a football pitch at the site will be of benefit to the local community and the design has been reviewed to take into account the concerns in reference to the neighbouring holiday use site.
“The site’s use as sports pitches is an established one. We propose the substitution in a centrally located area of grass for an all-season surface and associated fencing and lighting does not present a major divergence from the existing use.”
The 3G (third generation) artificial turf is a surface created using synthetic fibres and rubbers, made to look like grass.
Unlike previous artificial surfaces, the pitch does not contain sand and is less likely to cause friction burns. The main reason for its use is maintenance, as artificial turf stands up to heavy use and requires no irrigation or trimming.
The application was made on behalf of the club by RDA Achitects, based in Dundee’s Greenmarket.
Andy Adam, vice-chairman of the club, said: “We’re still in the early stages but this has been a long-term objective of ours.
“It’s something that has been a desire for a while and I think it’s important to stress that this isn’t just about football — it’s for the whole community.
“There have been complaints before about people having to go to Dundee or further afield to use these type of facilities but we want to make sure they’re on our doorstep.
“We’ve still got funding to raise but this is definitely something we are keen to try and achieve.”
Council planners will make a decision on the application by June 4.
