Ambitious plans have been unveiled to upgrade the sports facilities at Somerton Recreation Ground, a 17-acre site on the western edge of the thriving Somerset town of Somerton. Bordered by the B3153 Langport Road, Patch Meadows estate, and St Cleers residential area, the ground currently supports a variety of sports including bowls, football, rugby, and tennis, alongside hosting events through the Somerton Sports and Social Club.
The Somerton Recreation Ground Trust has proposed a complete reconfiguration of the site, centring around the demolition of the existing sports club and its replacement with a modern, 1,200-square-meter pavilion at the heart of the grounds. This new pavilion will house eight changing rooms designed to meet FA and RFU standards, a gym, café with a serving hatch, a physiotherapy room, office space, and flexible event areas featuring a bar and kitchen.
To enhance accessibility and alleviate parking issues, the club building demolition will create space for 144 parking spots near a secondary entrance off Gassons Lane, while 30 spaces will remain at the primary Langport Road entrance. An overflow parking area will also be established near the football pitches on the northern edge of the site.
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The tennis courts will be relocated to the south of the site to accommodate the new layout, offering four courts for members and visitors. Additionally, an indoor multi-use sports hall will be constructed centrally, alongside a new barn for storing maintenance equipment, replacing the existing shipping containers.
Importantly, the existing bowling green and football and rugby pitches on the western side will remain untouched by these improvements.
An Orme Architecture spokesperson, representing the Trust, emphasized that the redesign focuses on placing the sports pavilion centrally to provide better access for all clubs and users. They also highlighted that the increased parking capacity aims to reduce overspill parking on nearby roads, especially during match days and other events, while retaining current highway access points.
Somerset Council is expected to review and make a decision on the submitted plans by early autumn.