A non-league football club is looking to transform its pitch into an all-weather facility as part of plans to boost year-round use — just weeks after suffering relegation.
Tiverton Town Football Club has submitted a planning application to replace its existing natural grass surface with a third-generation (3G) artificial pitch at its Ladysmead ground on Bolham Road.
The proposal, lodged by Mr Matthew Conrdige on behalf of the club, includes excavation works and the installation of a new drainage system to support the upgraded playing surface.
Planning documents state the current grass pitch becomes heavily restricted during wetter months, limiting use largely to the men’s first team.
If approved, the synthetic surface would allow significantly increased usage throughout the year, opening the facility to a wider range of teams, including youth and women’s sides, as well as potential community groups.
The new pitch would be constructed within the footprint of the existing playing surface, measuring around 100 metres by 73.5 metres, and would not extend beyond the current stadium boundaries.
Supporting infrastructure would include an engineered drainage system designed to manage surface water. This would involve a network of land drains feeding into a collector system and attenuation tank, before controlled discharge into an existing surface water drain.
Documents note that ground conditions at the site mean water cannot be absorbed naturally, requiring a managed outflow system to prevent flooding.
The club says the upgrade would provide a “significant improvement” to local sports provision by increasing the number of playable hours and supporting wider participation in football.
The application comes following Tiverton Town’s relegation this season, with the club now seeking to invest in its long-term facilities.
No new buildings are proposed as part of the scheme, and the visual appearance of the ground is expected to remain largely unchanged.
