Permanent fan park plan for football club
The fan park would have a capacity of 650 people
- Published
Plans for a permanent 650-capacity fan park outside Barnsley FC's Oakwell stadium look likely to go ahead.
The application, submitted on behalf of Barnsley council, would take up 74 spaces of the club's East Stand car park.
The area, would feature red and dark grey container units for food and drink as well as seating, screens, weatherproof canopies and a football shoot-out area.
Two objections have been received against the proposals, but the council's Planning Regulatory Board, which will meet on 1 July, has been recommended to approve the proposals.
The plans state the fan park would operate primarily on match days and open three hours before kick-off.
It would close when matches began, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
It could also open on up to five non-match days for events such as live screenings of sports events.
The two objections cited ongoing issues from the existing temporary fan park, including noise, smells, and disruption between 10:00 and 23:00.
Concerns were also raised over parking and the potential for a permanent fan park to make the area feel less safe.
The council's highways officers concluded the loss of car parking spaces was acceptable after the club provided evidence which showed about 200 spaces remained unused on match days.
Planning officers recommended approval, stating that while there would be some impact, the development would "not cause an unacceptable level of harm to neighbouring properties, the highway network, or the wider character of the area".
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