Colchester United is to get a controversial new training ground in Tiptree at the third time of asking.

Councillors dramatically approved the club’s bid to set up a clubhouse and five pitches on land off Grange Road.

The decision, taken at a meeting of Colchester Council’s planning committee, means the U’s will cancel an appeal, which was due to start on Thursday, that taxpayers would have footed the bill for if the club had won.

But Colchester United chairman Robbie Cowling is set to insist the council pays the costs incurred to date.

Councillors had voted against a near-identical application two months ago and a similar one last June. But they reversed their opposition after hearing the council would probably lose the appeal.

Vincent Pearce, planning services manager, was often heckled from the 100-plus Tiptree residents who attended the meeting.

He said a barrister hired by the authority had advised there were no planning grounds for refusal that were strong enough to win the appeal.

He said: “We’ve had it from our barrister there is a very slim chance of success, and there’s a significant chance the council may be held that it acted unreasonably in refusing planning permission.”

The U’s want a dedicated ground to help attract the best players. Mr Cowling told the meeting he was “passionate” about sport in Tiptree and said one of the five “high quality” pitches would be set aside for local sides to use three times a week.

Andrew Ellis, Conservative councillor, urged members to back the views of villagers. He said: “Please remain steadfast and don’t be browbeaten by the threat of major costs into passing this application, which will do irreparable harm to the village of Tiptree.”

Ray Gamble, committee chairman, who declared a personal interest as a fan of the U’s, said: “I believe we have not got the justification for refusing in planning terms.”

Villagers fear big housing project

RESIDENTS fear Colchester United successfully securing a training ground will be the first part of a major redevelopment in Tiptree.

It has submitted a plan to be considered as part of Colchester Council’s local development framework, which sets out land uses.

A large plot of land at Vine Farm, on the edge of Tiptree, including the site of the training ground, has been put forward for homes, businesses, sports and community facilities.

U’s chairman Robbie Cowling told a meeting of Colchester Council’s planning committee the training ground would have a “low impact” on surrounding properties.

He said: “I understand why residents who live close to the site would like it to remain as farmland. My point is that land will be developed, and I believe Colchester United FC is a low-impact development with good community benefits.”

Councillor Andrew Ellis said: “This is the first of an avalanche of applications which aim to turn this greenfield site into a large-scale residential development.”

Colchester Council’s development framework will go before an inquiry in March.

Cowling’s delight at approval

COLCHESTER United chairman Robbie Cowling has hailed the training ground decision as a big boost to the U’s future prospects.

The multi-millionaire Jobserve boss said: “I am pleased we have finally been granted permission for the training ground.

“The training ground moving closer to reality is a big step forward as we aim to become a sustainable Championship football club in the future.”

Mr Cowling’s delight was not shared by opponents of the scheme who said Tiptree villagers were getting a raw deal.

Terry Shuttleworth, who lives near the field, said he was disappointed with the outcome.

He said: “As this planning application was no different from the previous one, there’s no reason why they should have approved it.

“Colchester Council are just running scared.”

Diana Webb, Tiptree parish councillor, said: “My view all along has been it is a commercial enterprise and there needed to be considerable informal leisure space provided for residents as part of it, as well as a buffer between the practice field and the houses.”

Kirk Mason, who volunteers as a youth football coach in the village, said he was pleased the plans had been passed. His club has joined forces with several others sponsored by Mr Cowling, under the banner Tiptree Jobserve.

Mr Cowling has paid for pitches to be relaid at the Warriors Rest sports ground, where the clubs play and train, and has put up a fence to keep out rabbits.

The U’s training ground move will be a further help as amateur 11-a-side games will be held there, freeing up space at Warriors Rest for more small-sized youth pitches.

Mr Mason said: “Robbie Cowling is hopefully going to be paying for more improvements to Warriors Rest and now all the clubs are paying subs into the same pot, there is money available for us to make changes as well.

“There’s even talk of starting up a rugby club and cricket team. Tiptree has neither, I suppose because the village is growing so quickly and in the past there wasn’t a call for it.”