AN ambitious plan to bring a football and sports academy to the west of the borough by the former England and Tottenham manager Terry Venables has been submitted to Thurrock Council.
The “Academy of Dreams” was submitted as one of the proposals to the Local Development Framework (LDF) earlier this year.
If successful, the academy would be built on the site of the former Fire Brigade sports ground in London Road, Purfleet.
In a very detailed submission, the 45 page dossier details how Mr Venables’ academy would bring a sports and education facility to the area, bringing employment and much needed sports facilities and opportunities to the area. The site would include full size and five-a-side football pitches. golf coaching facilities, offices, state of the art gyms, restaurants and shops.
It would also bring 257 new homes.
The academy, it claims, would also work also work with the Professional Footballers Association, the Golf Foundation and the League Managers Association as well as David Lloyd.
YourThurrock understands that the site is presently leased by Essex Sports Villages headed by former Grays Athletic chairman Mick Woodward.
The plans are one of many stuck in “development hell” due to the recent suspension by the government of Thurrock Councils LDF due to the number of objections and possible legal challenges.
Full details of the plans can be seen on Thurrock Councils website.
Could this become the new ground for GAFC???
I remember Grays fans being against a ground which wasn’t in Grays. Many explained it was hard to get to by public transport.
The plan presented does look very much like the one talked about by MW, if he is involved wouldn’t it be a backward step for Grays Ath as a club.
I still don’t stop worrying about the moneys set aside for a new ground, where it might end up!