Belper: Flood-hit clubhouse seeks to expand first floor

Belper Town FC says the persistent flooding of its clubhouse is not sustainable

A football club hopes to expand with a two-storey extension after bouts of flooding.

Belper Town Football Club's grounds in Christchurch Meadow are typically among the first to flood when Derbyshire experiences heavy rainfall.

An application to Amber Valley Borough Council details the extension to house a classroom and function room on the first floor.

The proposal is to provide a space that would be unaffected by future flooding.

The club has had to gut the ground floor and remodel on several occasions following the impact of floodwater, with further events now seemingly inevitable on the grounds, which are in Flood Zone 3 (the highest risk).

In its application, it details the Football Association will no longer provide it with financial assistance.

The club, known as the Nailers, has applied for the two-storey extension to its clubhouse at first-floor level, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Not sustainable'

The club writes: "Being able to hold the functions and events at first floor will mean even if the property has recently flooded, it will not affect the space, and it can continue in its normal operation as soon as the flooding has subsided.

"The continual flooding has led to not only a loss of revenue but also a loss of event space.

"These hardships are not sustainable, and for the club to stay available to the community, the increase in first floor space is required.

"This situation puts the club in jeopardy and the facility at risk of permanent closure, leading to a significant loss for Belper should the first floor space not be granted."