Plans for new home going on show for fans

The long-term dream of Heybridge Swifts to leave Scraley Road and move into a modern new ground will take a decisive step forward next week when the Ryman North club stages an exhibition to show off their plans to supporters.

The Swifts entered into an agreement with developers Bloor Homes last year to build 105 homes on the site of Scraley Road to help fund the building of a new stadium on nearby land. Together with the owners of the proposed site and the developers, Swifts are holding a public consultation to display the plans on Tuesday 24 March between 2pm and 6pm and again later that day between 8pm and 9pm.

As well as an all-weather pitch for community use, practice pitch and youth team pitch, the proposed new stadium will feature a main stand with facilities up to Football Conference standard and a larger clubhouse able to host more functions. The main stand will have capacity for 250 seated and 250 standing spectators, both covered.

Heybridge's existing facilities are now 50 years old and fail to meet current FA standards and in a statement on their website, club officials urged fans to attend the exhibition and give their views on the plans which are still subject to gaining planning permission.

Swifts chairman Nick Bower said: "I am very pleased to be able to announce on behalf of the committee and trustees, that our long term plan to relocate and upgrade the Swifts facilities is now entering a decisive phase.

"This current plan started back in 2011 when members overwhelmingly backed the proposal to enter into an agreement with a national house builder to develop our current ground and move us to a new site nearby. In the intervening period the house builder has changed and many problems have had to be overcome, but the project has remained the same.

"Last year we entered into an agreement with Bloor Homes and the owner of the proposed new site, subject to planning permission being obtained for both and we are now close to submitting the applications.

"I hope as many of you as possible can attend, however for those who can’t, the plans will be available to view after that via a link on our website. This is very exciting prospect for us and will give us vastly improved facilities to secure our long term future."

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