Buxton Football Club’s plans for more improvements at the ground

The application to High Peak Borough Council is the fifth submitted by the club in recent years to better improve the grounds and site.

If it is given the green light the home of the Bucks would have an electronic scoreboard used to display information on match days and at other times when the football ground is in use for other activities and to include other advertising.

Buxton Football Club is a successful organisation, says club chair David Hopkins, and recently was promoted to the National League North.

It has featured in a live BBC match broadcast in the FA Cup, bringing much national attention to its achievements and to the town.

Speaking in a statement submitted with the application David said: “As well as official first team match day fixtures the club is firmly rooted in the local community such that there is extensive use of the football ground throughout the week for both football and other activities.

He said: “Such success inevitably brings with it requirements and expectations for enhanced spectator facilities.

“The council has indeed been very supportive of the club’s progress by approval of recent planning four applications for educational facilities, replacement pitch and floodlights, lounges, shop, canteen, gym and changing room.

“The scoreboard which is the subject of this application is clearly further tangible evidence of this continued long-term investment in the quality of the infrastructure of the club.“This aligns well with the council’s stated ambitions for the Borough in the Local Plan for enhancement and improvement of sport, recreational and community facilities where possible.”

The statement notes should the application be approved the scoreboard raises no significant issues on amenity and public safety grounds.

The Football Club seeks a permanent period of consent - although ten years is stated in the application form as dates had to be provided - since the scoreboard is required for use on a permanent basis and represents a significant investment as part of the continuous improvement of the ground and facilities.

A public consultation on the proposals is running until Friday September, 29. To have your say visit the council’s planning website on planning.highpeak.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=263133