IMPRESSIVE plans for a new football stadium have been submitted for approval.

The 1,950 capacity site would be built on Tilekiln Playing Fields in St Leonards to serve as the new home of Hastings United Football Club.

A separate planning application has also been submitted asking the council to allow the club’s current ground at The Pilot Field to be redeveloped for housing.

The plans outline the club’s desire to create a complex which includes the stadium, as well as two 3G artificial pitches, a multi-use games area, a sports hall, petanque courts, a 12,000 sqft gym and parking spaces.

This will be built over two phases, if the plans are approved, with the football stadium, pitches and multi-games area taking priority.

The application was submitted to Hastings Borough Council on September 24.

The Argus:

A planning statement read: “The proposed development is driven by the club’s ambition to play at a higher league level and with this the increased standards required for a stadium set by those leagues.

“With this there is also a need to ensure the stadium provides revenue outside of typical match days.

“The proposal is thought to provide this and but also important community benefits via the sporting facilities to be provided.

“A planning application for the redevelopment of the club’s existing ground, The Pilot Field, for housing is being made alongside this.”

The new stadium and artificial pitches would replace three full-size grass football pitches and a disused cricket square at Tilekiln Playing Fields, about 4.8km from Hastings town centre, the application says.

The key feature of the new stadium would be the main stand, which would “include an array of facilities to support the club both on and outside of match days”.

The Argus:

The ground floor level “includes the main reception area, ticket office, club and secretary offices, and the home and away changing rooms”, the planning statement said. A sports bar and kitchen would also be provided at this level.

On the first floor, there would be a function room with seating for 152 people, another bar, a kitchen, a director’s boardroom and two viewing boxes, with the potential addition of an outdoor terrace. All would have views over the pitch.

There would be smaller spectator stands on the remaining three sides of the pitch.

“The scheme delivers numerous public benefits which weigh heavily in favour of the scheme,” the planning statement said.