Fleetdown United Football Club

Community Statement – Fleetdown United Football Club

In response to recent negative and inaccurate information posted on social media regarding planning approval, Fleetdown United Football Club would like to make the following statement.

Fleetdown United Football Club would like to take this opportunity to reassure our neighbours and local residents regarding the proposed 3G pitch on the open space.

The club has followed the appropriate and established process throughout, carefully investing members’ and sponsors’ funds to ensure that all legal, planning, environmental and technical requirements were fully met. Professional assessments were commissioned where required, including traffic analysis, and the project has been progressed in line with guidance from the relevant authorities.

As part of this process, Fleetdown held three open consultation events, including evening and weekend sessions, to provide local residents with the opportunity to view the plans given the inaccuracy of a local newspaper report, ask questions, and discuss the proposals directly with representatives of the club. These sessions were intended to be open, accessible and informative, and those who attended were able to leave with clear and accurate information about the project. Feedback received indicated a positive understanding of the proposals, including the benefits of improved site security, increased natural oversight, and the potential to reduce anti-social behaviour in and around the open space.

Fleetdown United Football Club has always welcomed its neighbours, the wider Dartford community and remains committed to being an inclusive, community-focused organisation. We will continue to engage positively with residents and stakeholders, and we remain focused on delivering facilities that support local children, families, education sector, NHS, volunteers and the wider community in a respectful and responsible way.