As we move into 2026 it is worth reminding everyone that the above project will start to impact us around next April-May timeframe, the exact start will be dependent on Havant Planning agreeing that PWC have discharged all conditions imposed on them – for the entire route between Bedhampton and The Thicket.
The first thing that will happen will be PWC’s contractors setting up the perimeter of the works, which will deny us use of all of Dingley Dell, around 35% of Pitch 4 (West side), 45% of the old Pitch 5, the entire area North of Pitch 3 and around 80 % of the area to the East of P3. These areas will not be returned to us before 2028-29, as they include 2 of the tunnelling shafts for the extended route either side of the playing fields. There will be larger copies of this drawing available at the club soon.
The open cut trench work through Hooks Lane will not take as long, but all materials, and spoil, for the tunnels will have to be carried on a temporary road from Hooks Farm Way to and from Dingley Dell, throughout the project, and this will then need reinstating to grass at the end.
We will need everyone’s indulgence given the situation and be creative with the limited space we have, with maybe more time/day shifting and fewer discretionary home fixtures planned. We will get a limited sum to book extra AGP hours, although some of those hours are currently in place due to the council’s refusal to allow P4 to be used, as a pitch while this work was pending. The council have recently made noises about the possibility of Bidbury Mead being made available to us, as additional training space, but we have yet to have anything concrete from them.
Please support the volunteers and staff as we try to negotiate what will inevitably be a difficult period for everyone.

Gordon Brember – Facilities Director