Green light for Melksham’s ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ football plans

EXCITING plans for Melksham Town Football Club’s new stadium will become a reality after planning permission was granted this month for the proposed site at Woolmore Farm.

Construction work will begin later this year on the 256-seater stadium, club house, 11 football pitches and four rugby pitches with Melksham Rugby Club sharing the site.

Dave Wiltshire, chairman of Melksham Town Football Club, was delighted after the outcome of the recent Wiltshire Council planning meeting.

“This outcome is a fantastic bit of news for Melksham Town FC and its 450+ playing members, supporters, parents and committee members, all of whom have given up many hours of their free time over many months to push this project forward,” he said.

“It is also a reward to all who have supported football in whatever capacity within the town over the years, and is as much their club going forward as the current active  members.

“This project, comprising of a new stadium facility, club house and 11 other pitches,  will mean the town can enjoy facilities second to none in Wiltshire and provides a base for football in Melksham, as well as  securing the future provision of football.

“Whilst it will be sad to leave The Conigre which has been the home of Melksham Town since 1926 and no doubt holds many memories for many people over the years, the facilities were run down and not conducive with running a football club on a self-funding basis. This opportunity is to my mind the most important event in the club’s 138-year history.

“Additionally, the youth section currently  has no current ‘home’ and plays on pitches of dubious standard which does little to encourage new players and parental support and input, all of which will be catered for in the new set up.

“We have a strong dedicated committee who all shared the same vision many years ago of having a home of football for the Melksham community, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity should be welcomed by all, as the new facilities gives the whole club and town a boost, and should install a sense of pride in the town for all to share.

“We are extremely grateful of the support provided through this process by Wiltshire Council, the Football Foundation and Wiltshire FA, and sincerely hope that Melksham and the surrounding area will enjoy the use of the facilities when completed, possibly around the end of the current playing season, although that has not yet been confirmed.”