We wanted to share an update with everyone associated with the club as we move closer to what will be an exciting milestone for the project: the formal submission of our planning application.

This represents the culmination of a huge amount of work that has been taking place behind the scenes. We have summarised some of that work below to give you an insight into the process and the progress made so far.

Design

The club has appointed respected local architectural practice, Paul Bancroft Architects, to lead the design of our new clubhouse project.

The design has undergone several iterations, and we have now reached a preferred proposal that has received support from several key project stakeholders. This includes the Football Foundation, which has agreed in principle to provide a £250,000 grant, subject to a formal application.

The design has been developed with several key factors in mind:

• Technical and Regulatory Compliance – The design must comply with current Building Regulations and take account of other relevant standards, including the Football Foundation Design Guide.
• Planning and Aesthetic Considerations – The building needs to be appropriate for its surroundings and in keeping with the local character and architecture. This has influenced both the choice of materials and the scale and appearance of the building.
• Budget Constraints – The reality is that we operate in a commercial environment, where constructing a building of this nature is likely to cost in the region of £2,500–£3,000 per m². Whilst the new clubhouse must not compromise on functionality, it must also be affordable. The design has therefore been developed to optimise the layout and ensure the available space works as efficiently as possible.

Surveys

A number of key surveys are required to support the project, many of which will ultimately form part of the planning submission.

Surveys completed to date include a Topographical Survey, Flood Risk Assessment, Heritage Impact Statement, Ecology Survey and a Measured Building Survey of the existing clubhouse.

A huge thank you goes to SDC Builders Ltd, who kindly undertook some of these surveys free of charge. A big thank you also goes to Paul Stamper Heritage, who kindly offered his services, for free, to supply us with a Heritage Impact Statement. Their support has made a valuable contribution to the progress of the project.

Consultations

A number of consultations have taken place throughout the development of the proposals. These include:

• Football Foundation – There has been extensive consultation with the Football Foundation, which has helped us develop the layout in line with its guidance and requirements.
• Northants Football Association – Our local FA has reviewed and commented on the proposals and is supportive of the project.
• Oundle School – As the landowner, Oundle School has been consulted throughout the process.
• Oundle Town Council – Representatives from the club have engaged with the Town Council to provide updates on the project.
• OTFC Members – Committee members representing our junior, adult, male and female teams have reviewed the proposals and provided valuable feedback.

Next Steps

The project is now approaching an important stage, with the following key steps planned:

Share the latest proposals with the community
We would like to invite any interested stakeholders, including coaches, players and parents associated with the club, to come and view and discuss the latest proposals.
The existing clubhouse will be open on Saturday 5th September, from 10.00am until midday, for anyone who would like to find out more about the project and see the proposed designs.

Finalise and submit the planning application
The next step will be to finalise all of the documentation required for the formal planning application. Once submitted, the planning process is expected to take approximately 8–10 weeks.

Focus on fundraising
Once planning permission has been secured, the primary focus will shift towards fundraising. Access to a number of grants and funding opportunities only becomes possible once a project has been formally established and granted planning permission.
The current estimated cost of the project is approximately £900,000, so even once planning permission is secured, there will still be a significant amount of work ahead to raise the funds needed to turn this vision into reality.

Progress the design

Determine the most appropriate procurement route
The club will also need to consider the most appropriate route for delivering the project. Options could include a self-build approach or appointing a local contractor, among others. Each option has its own advantages and challenges, and this will be carefully considered as the project progresses.

The new clubhouse project is an ambitious one, but we are making encouraging progress towards bringing it to life.

There has already been a huge amount of time, effort and expertise contributed by a number of individuals and organisations, and we would like to thank everyone who has supported the project so far.

We are excited to share the latest proposals with the wider club community and look forward to receiving your feedback as we take the next important step towards submitting our planning application.