Work on a new £800,000 all-weather pitch may have to be postponed for a year by Penrith RFU club.

A neighbour of the club has objected to the £800,000 scheme which now needs approval by Eden District Council at their planning meeting next Thursday.

The objection means work has been delayed and is likely to run into the new season next September instead of being completed in August, as originally planned.

Club chairman Geoff Matthews explained: “It has moved the programme three weeks behind.

“It is now a matter of how fast it can be signed off and the timescale for getting the contractor booked.

“The work may reach into September and we may have to make a decision on whether to defer it to next year, or move our early season home games to another pitch or ground.

“It is disappointing. We should have been halfway through it by now.

“We have started reseeding and repair work on all three of our pitches, just in case.”


Geoff Matthews There have been four objections based round queries of noise and the floodlights being on until 10pm.

Three have been dealt with but one is still outstanding.

The RFU have confirmed they are still committed to the project and the club have further meetings planned with them and the contractors over the next week.

The 3G playing surface will be similar to that at Newcastle Falcons and European champions Saracens’ Allianz Park pitches.

The pitch will also be available to rent and for five-a-side football matches

The club has a guaranteed 12 hours use a week on it, then, under the local rugby partnership, other clubs, colleges and schools within a 20 mile radius can use it.

The installation will mean club teams will be able to play and train during the winter when waterlogged or frozen pitches force the cancellation of matches and practice sessions.

The development includes security fencing surrounding the pitch, new floodlights and CCTV cameras.

The club is also considering erecting new fencing around its perimeter to deter dog walkers whose pets have been fouling the pitches.

The new pitch will be made of plastic grass infilled with rubber crumb, which hold up the stems and provide bounce.

The 3G pitch has a 10-year lifespan and the RFU will relay the surface twice during its 30-year lease.

Meanwhile, work is underway to relay the pitch at Penrith football club.

The turf at Frenchfield Park has already been scraped away by contractors Duncan Ross Ltd of Ormskirk, Lancashire.

Work is due to continue in a fortnight when the soil will be de-compacted to allow air in and improve drainage and apply a fertiliser treatment.

The estimated cost of works is £18,500 which will be covered by a grant from landlords Eden District Council.

The council has submitted a grant application to the Football Stadium Improvement Fund and is hopeful that will cover 50 per cent of the costs.