Hockey club's bid to use pitch at Cradley Heath school (From Halesowen News)

Hockey club's bid to use pitch at Cradley Heath school

2:46pm Monday 11th March 2013 in News

A LONG-RUNNING Halesowen hockey club wants to use facilities at a Cradley Heath school after its former base was declared unfit for purpose.

Old Halesonians Hockey Club wants to use the Astro Turf at Ormiston Forge Academy for Saturday games and occasional Sunday games.

The Wrights Lane school submitted a planning application to vary conditions that state its Astro pitch can only be used on weekdays and by pupils, to Sandwell Council this week.

It has applied for temporary consent for the pitch to be used on weekends from 10am till 4pm by pupils and the community so it can prove the move will not disturb local resients.

In an application to planners it states its ‘ethos is one of inclusion and support to the local community.’

The hockey club, which was founded in 1961, has five mens, two ladies and a badgers team, who between September and April play a maximum of three home games on a Saturday.

During the summer this is reduced to one game or two hours training.

A letter to Sandwell Council from club chairman Stephen Driver states the club would use the pitch from 10am till 3pm on Saturdays and the occasional Sunday.

The letter goes on ‘Until September 2012 we have been using sports facilities maintained by Birmingham City Council which have now been certified as unfit with no prospect of repairs or replacement.

‘Ormiston Forge Academy has facilities which meet England Hockey standards and is the only facility in the area available for our use.’ It states: “There would be no requirement for flood lights or any additional lights to be installed. We would utilise the onsite parking facilities with no impact on residential parking.

‘Unlike football, hockey is not a spectator sport and attracts few side line supporters and therefore disruption and noise will be kept to a minimum.’