[Albion] Bennett's Field

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Superseagull

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2003
2,123
Seems odd that the Albion appear to be using the Bennett’s field casually for the building of the fan zone, or at least storing or some of the construction materials, but not for use during match days for parking whilst the current owners ponder the start of the new student accommodation build. Seems to be a missed opportunity for the current owner to get some revenue until it’s developed. I wonder if Mr Bloom sees this as a possible site to squeeze in a ground for the women’s side? Would the land be big enough for a 6 to 8k stadium? I guess a fair bit of site levelling would be required to squeeze it in if it were possible. Could explain the lack of development so far and the fact the club once again have limited access to the land at the moment.
 






BNthree

BNthree

Plastic JCL
Sep 14, 2016
11,459
WeHo
Hugo Rune said:
I get that. I meant the ‘Co’ to be the developer as I’m not sure if Bennett has sold it completely or still retains an interest.
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Been a while since I looked at it but Mr Bennett hasn’t sold the land and retained an interest I seem to recall. Think it was something along the lines of him and developer joined forces to create a company that was going to own and run the student flats.
 


BNthree

BNthree

Plastic JCL
Sep 14, 2016
11,459
WeHo
Superseagull said:
Seems odd that the Albion appear to be using the Bennett’s field casually for the building of the fan zone, or at least storing or some of the construction materials, but not for use during match days for parking whilst the current owners ponder the start of the new student accommodation build. Seems to be a missed opportunity for the current owner to get some revenue until it’s developed. I wonder if Mr Bloom sees this as a possible site to squeeze in a ground for the women’s side? Would the land be big enough for a 6 to 8k stadium? I guess a fair bit of site levelling would be required to squeeze it in if it were possible. Could explain the lack of development so far and the fact the club once again have limited access to the land at the moment.
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Don’t think it’s big enough for a stadium, even a small one
 


Weststander

Weststander

Well-known member
Aug 25, 2011
69,339
Withdean area
South Stand Bonfire said:
I wonder if there is a funding delay? The days of cheap development money was a long time ago and it does have a significant effect on developer’s bottom lines.
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That would probably be the reason for the delay. The developer will end up paying less to Bennett, as their residual value calculation will maintain their profit on the development regardless.
 






Driver8

Driver8

On the road...
NSC Patron
Jul 31, 2005
16,217
North Wales
BNthree said:
Been a while since I looked at it but Mr Bennett hasn’t sold the land and retained an interest I seem to recall. Think it was something along the lines of him and developer joined forces to create a company that was going to own and run the student flats.
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Downing say they have acquired the site.

downing.com

Downing maintains strong start to 2024 | Downing

Downing maintains strong start to 2024 at Downing, featuring the latest property development news and insightful articles.
downing.com downing.com
 








T

Terry Butcher Tribute Act

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2013
3,690
BNthree said:
Agreed! And Brighton Uni are moving out of that site to all their lovely new buildings where the Lewes Rd barracks were
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Sorry?! They are moving out of the whole campus - that's fairly huge?! Or just a certain building? If i recall a lot of that site is similar age to The Amex itself?
 


Hugo Rune

Hugo Rune

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Feb 23, 2012
23,701
Brighton
Terry Butcher Tribute Act said:
Sorry?! They are moving out of the whole campus - that's fairly huge?! Or just a certain building? If i recall a lot of that site is similar age to The Amex itself?
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A few facts to aid this discussion.

1. The University of Brighton is certainly not moving away from the Falmer site.

2. The University of Brighton has NO buildings on the old Lewes Rd Barracks site. Whilst they did acquire this land from the cancel, it was quickly leased out to developers (200 yr+ terms) who have built 3 blocks or private student accommodation, an office/workplace rental unit and around a dozen other largely unfinished buildings that will accommodate private apartments along with retail and hospitality units. The majority of these unfinished buildings have been passed on to other 3rd party developers due to the original developers running out of cash (because of the pandemic & Brexit etc).

3. The parcel of land (rugby pitch) between the UoB academic buildings and the Trainline is big enough for a small (well under 20k) football stadium.

4. It’s unlikely any deal to release this land would be struck prior to the appointment (incoming) of the new UoB Vice Chancellor. Probably next year, perhaps Easter.

5. Much of the UoB Falmer campus is indeed only a few years older than the Amex.
 




Clive Walker

Clive Walker

Stand Or Fall
Jul 5, 2011
3,590
Brighton
the club are still expecting to get their hands on Bennets field with plans for a hotel and club offices. The Rugby pitch is still site no 1 for the ladies stadium.
 


Nobby Cybergoat

Nobby Cybergoat

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2021
8,632
Clive Walker said:
the club are still expecting to get their hands on Bennets field with plans for a hotel and club offices. The Rugby pitch is still site no 1 for the ladies stadium.
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Personally I don't really like the idea of removing a sporting facility from Brighton. I know we're not exactly overloaded with potential sites
 


Clive Walker

Clive Walker

Stand Or Fall
Jul 5, 2011
3,590
Brighton
Nobby Cybergoat said:
Personally I don't really like the idea of removing a sporting facility from Brighton. I know we're not exactly overloaded with potential sites
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I think the Uni has enough options even if it means loosing the ultimate frisbee site:

1727255098197.png
 






Nobby Cybergoat

Nobby Cybergoat

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2021
8,632
Clive Walker said:
I think the Uni has enough options even if it means loosing the ultimate frisbee site:

View attachment 189363
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I just don't agree

Schools and Universities shouldn't be giving up their playing fields for development of any sort. The argument that they have another pitch so they can still play sport doesn't work for me. We need to be encouraging sporting activity for the young not building over it.

I hope we're looking for a brownfield site
 




Clive Walker

Clive Walker

Stand Or Fall
Jul 5, 2011
3,590
Brighton
Nobby Cybergoat said:
I just don't agree

Schools and Universities shouldn't be giving up their playing fields for development of any sort. The argument that they have another pitch so they can still play sport doesn't work for me. We need to be encouraging sporting activity for the young not building over it.

I hope we're looking for a brownfield site
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They're not giving anything up. They would be selling for a good amount of money that they could re-invest themselves. Who is to say that the Uni won't benefit in some way from use of the facilities that would be built on the site?
 




Nobby Cybergoat

Nobby Cybergoat

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2021
8,632
Clive Walker said:
They're not giving anything up. They would be selling for a good amount of money that they could re-invest themselves. Who is to say that the Uni won't benefit in some way from use of the facilities that would be built on the site?
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So if your kids school sold off their playing fields to a developer, you'd be happy with that?
 


Clive Walker

Clive Walker

Stand Or Fall
Jul 5, 2011
3,590
Brighton
Nobby Cybergoat said:
So if your kids school sold off their playing fields to a developer, you'd be happy with that?
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If my kid was at Brighton Uni and one field (that was largely unused) were to be sold but .......the Uni still had:

1 field
a 3G pitch to the rear
use of 2 fields at BACA
plus another 3G pitch at BACA
use of the 2 fields at Sussex Uni
plus 3 3G pitches at Sussex
and the possibility of using state of the art facilities after development
plus a sizeable wedge of dosh to re-invest in areas

I wouldn't be concerned in the slightest.

Brighton Uni has other campus' also which I've not considered above.
 


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