A 60-bed care home is proposed for Amersham’s rugby club field, aiming to enhance local facilities and address dementia care needs.
The club plans to use the sale money for upgrades. This includes a new all-weather 3G pitch to replace the current training pitch. They also want new floodlights and fencing for year-round training.
Four new all-weather padel tennis courts are also on the agenda. This aims to strengthen ties with the nearby Chesham Bois Tennis and Squash Club. Padel is growing fast, but Amersham lacks facilities.
The club believes these courts will meet local demand and provide extra income. This income will help maintain the new surfaces and courts. Other planned improvements include leveling the railway pitch and enhancing drainage.
They also want to upgrade the astroturf area outside the clubhouse. Plans include a new pond, a circular running track, and refurbishing the clubhouse. The clubhouse hasn’t been updated in nearly 20 years.
The club needs better facilities for its new women’s team and women referees. They expect work to start a few weeks after Zephyr X gets planning permission, possibly in summer 2025.
The developer will be involved in the upgrades and will improve Ash Grove and build a driveway. Details about the care unit are limited, but it will follow a village concept with 22 parking spaces.
The club’s back field is ideal for this development since it’s not used for rugby. They noted a lack of dementia care in England and Buckinghamshire. This need could help secure planning permission, though the site is in the green belt.
