Football club given permission to use pitches near Meon Cross School – but only if parents do not park there

Fareham Borough Council’s planning committee granted permission for the land off Burnt House Lane to be used for one year, for football matches on Saturday mornings – as long as there is no parking at the site. 

Visitors and parents must park at the school and walk down to the pitches where Stubbington Youth Football Club will play. The gates to the pitches will be closed to cars but there will be pedestrian access.

There were seven public objections over increased traffic and parking on match days with the lack of maintenance from the school of Burnt House Lane from residents.

Councillor Dugan said: “It needs good control over the parents. [On match days,] parents park in the most ridiculous places which will be a challenge.”

Vice-chair and lead groundsman for Stubbington Football Club Steve Mann said: “We have 400 players, 50 women’s players in two women’s teams in the youth section. We have 30 teams and are a growing club.” 

He said the site is important for the club as toilets are required onsite for women to be able to play matches. The school provides portaloos at the site and other council-run pitches do not have toilets.

He said there isn’t enough room for all the matches at Stubbington Recreation Ground and members of the youth football teams also attend the school.

Mr Mann said the club plan to put up improved signage and have sent out parking instructions with What3words to visiting clubs of where they should park. The club, through the school, will be communicating and managing any park issues with local residents.

The pitches can be used between 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays but not at all on Sundays or public and bank holidays. 

No megaphones can be used nor lighting installed at the pitches.