Rovers Trust fails in bid to add further protection to Brockhall

[yoda]

Bid to protect Brockhall rejected!
Nov 12th, 2017
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Dear Members,
An application, by Rovers Trust, to further protect Blackburn Rovers’ Training Ground and Academy at Brockhall has been rejected by Ribble Valley Council. Rovers Trust had asked that Brockhall be listed as an ‘asset of community value’ which would have legally recognised the community value of the property and limit the ability of the owners to sell it off secretly and swiftly.

The Trust had argued that Brockhall has community value because a) it is an integral part of Blackburn Rovers and b) it is used for events such as training camps and spectators at academy matches.

Michael Doherty, the Trust legal and policy officer said, ‘The most disappointing aspect of this decision is that the people running our club have objected to it so strongly. They brought in a global law firm and instructed them to argue that Brockhall is a private facility and to dispute that Brockhall is an integral part of Blackburn Rovers’. The club said that that ‘The [training and academy] facilities could be provided elsewhere (although there are no current plans to do that’.

Rovers Trust feel that if the club’s owners and directors were as genuinely committed to Brockhall as they say they are then they would not have opposed the very modest limitations provided by ‘community value’ listing. Derby County showed, in relation to a similar application in 2015, that club owners do not necessarily have to be hostile to community listing.

Michael Doherty said ‘We would like to thank Rovers Trust members, particularly from the Ribble Valley, who supported this application. Our legal research shows that there are still important protections over Brockhall in property and planning law. We will remain vigilant in making sure those protections continue to apply to protect the long-term legacy that Jack Walker left for the club and for all Rovers supporters’.

The Trust chairman, John Murray, said ‘We are disappointed that this particular application has been rejected, but the work of the Trust goes on. Recent events at Blackpool Football Club show that if supporters stick together they can make a difference and help to bring an end to bad ownership of their clubs’.

In light of this, Rovers Trust reiterate that in order to make sure your voice is heard in protecting our club, please let us know of any changes to your contact details, particularly your email address. Contact us at enquiries@roverstrust.co.uk

 

[ABBEY]

just another step in the venkstruction of our club.

 

[Skiptonrover]

In fairness cash is king there's not enough money to sustain the preservation of Brockhall, treading carefully I know there are strong opinions on this forum regarding the ownership, I'm not pro or anti Venkys I hadn't attended for years (used to with my dad) due to working commitments so as a new fan as opposed to a seasoned regular. It's obvious it's a picturesque area overlooking the ribble Valley it could easily get demolished & houses built more money in it. Venkys nothing like the old regime even though, it's a council decision I can't envisage the ownership greasing any palms to protect.

 

[Barmitzvah Boy]

I wonder how much the Rovers legal fees were?

 

[tomphil]

Very telling they go to those expensive lengths to quash it but maybe if they did sell the club that prime piece of restricted land would possibly be boosting the asking price a bit, tiny grain of hope there.

More likely the club know it will be faced sometime in the near future with having to borrow against it to keep the lights on even if it's short term funding still under the Venky ownership. Bolton I heard had probs doing this after some of their assets were community protected.

Still another huge low point in the Venkscum ownership though with no doubt more to come.

 

[Drog]

Very telling they go to those expensive lengths to quash it but maybe if they did sell the club that prime piece of restricted land would possibly be boosting the asking price a bit, tiny grain of hope there.

Regrettable to see the club that Jack built dismantled but it's understandable and makes complete sense to me. Sad to say but that piece of land will be valued financially at much more more than a loss making club and Ewood Park combined. Should the venkys decide to cut their losses they'll be able to sell the club for whatever they can get to off load it and then reduce their losses by selling off Brockhall for housing development.
Given the disastrous effect the Indian sub-continent has had on East Lancashire for a century since Ghandi encouraged a boycott of Lancashire cloth it's rather a moot point that white flight will now come to benefit them. Would that he had encouraged a complete boycott of Lancashire.

 

[tomphil]

Yes if they cleared 4 mill for that prime bit of land that would probably find it's way directly to a V back pocket, a nice little sweetener to ease the pain of the failed project that has been propped up by debt and parent company profits.

Meanwhile they'd keep a couple of pitches and a cabin on one of the other fields to spare the lads from Pleasy again.

 

[Barmitzvah Boy]

PNE are after a new training ground. They tried to buy Bolton’s which was based at Euxton (by Buckshaw Village) but Wigan beat them to it. If Brockhall does not go to PNE (or we share it with them) then it will be sold. There is little value in Ewood given the low land values in Blackburn and the lack of demand except (being serious now) for rebuilding it as a mosque; Brockhall is the only item of value except for some old silverware which may fetch a few bob in novelty value.

Clearly the opposition to the ACV suggests the V’s are keeping their options open on the future of Brockhall.

 

[Vinjay]

One of the key questions is did they even consult the community?

Regrettable to see the club that Jack built dismantled but it's understandable and makes complete sense to me.

So would it be understandable if I swung a baseball bat at the heads of those responsible? I'll call you as my character witness lol.

 

[Drog]

PNE are after a new training ground. They tried to buy Bolton’s which was based at Euxton (by Buckshaw Village) but Wigan beat them to it. If Brockhall does not go to PNE (or we share it with them) then it will be sold. There is little value in Ewood given the low land values in Blackburn and the lack of demand except (being serious now) for rebuilding it as a mosque; Brockhall is the only item of value except for some old silverware which may fetch a few bob in novelty value.

Been an idea of mine to share Brockhall for some time.

As for Ewood Park the cost of demolition would impact massively on any alternative schemes.

 

[tomphil]

Let's face it they will fluck the club over finally and totally one day in the future probably after we've quietly slipped into the basement league for a year or two then it will go almost unnoticed and people will just shrug their shoulders and say oh well selling all Brockhall and selling the ground to lease back was the only way to keep it going, at least there still is a BRFC.