by Dan Davis (@dan_davis20)
AFC Bournemouth’s plans for a new training complex have been approved by the Borough of Poole, subject to Secretary of State referral.
The original documents were submitted on August 14th and applied for outline planning permission for the 57-acre Canford Magna Golf Club site, which has recently been bought by the club.
Once the complex is completed, the Cherries’ first team, reserves and academy will all be based in the same location. Currently the first team train at Kings Park near the Vitality Stadium and the reserves are based in different locations, including Canford Arena.
The new training ground is expected to cost around £10 million, and will have ten full-size pitches, three junior pitches, an indoor artificial playing surface and brand new medical, fitness and sports science facilities.
The plans had been approved by Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore, as well as the Borough of Poole’s planning officer James Gilfillan.
Work is expected to commence on the project in the near future pending the Secretary of State referral, despite objections from the likes of The Society of Poole, the Environment Agency and the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said: “I am delighted that Borough of Poole has approved the club’s planning application, subject to Secretary of State referral.
“A new training complex will be a huge step forward for the club and we have endeavoured to propose one which is befitting of a Premier League club, while also providing the perfect environment – both sporting and educational – to develop youngsters in the area.
“It was important that we designed a facility that is sympathetic to the green belt site it is located on and we believe this is something the whole region can be proud of.”
There has been no further update from the club in regards to the new stadium, but there are still hopes that the construction will be completed in Kings Park by the summer of 2020.
