by John Prince
Ambitious plans for a major expansion of Brandesburton AFC’s ground could finally allow its senior men’s and women’s teams to play their home matches in the village.
The club has submitted a planning application to East Riding Council for a new sports pavilion and social club, floodlit multi-use games area and improved facilities at its Catwick Lane ground.
The proposals also include an extended and remodelled car park, cycle shelter and bin store, along with relocating the existing pétanque club and removing temporary buildings and old floodlighting.
Founded in the early 1900s, Brandesburton AFC now provides football for children from the age of four through to adult and veterans’ teams, but its senior sides have been forced to play home fixtures elsewhere.
The men’s first team, which competes in the Humber Premier League, uses a ground at Hutton Cranswick because Brandesburton’s facilities do not meet league requirements.
The women’s team plays at Hornsea’s 3G facilities because the changing accommodation at Catwick Lane is too small.
Both arrangements bring additional costs and leave the teams unable to regularly play in front of supporters in their own village.
Announcing the application, the club said reaching this stage had involved considerable work, with complications over land registration, existing users, council requirements and conditions attached to potential grant funding.
It said: “This development is fundamental to the future of our club and the wider sporting community on site.”
The new facilities would also benefit junior players and their families, together with other organisations using the ground, including the pétanque and archery clubs.
Brandesburton Primary School uses the site for football fixtures and cross-country events, while the proposed social club could provide a meeting place for players, parents, volunteers and local groups.
The latest application follows several years of attempts to improve the ground.
An earlier proposal for a pavilion and multi-use games area was approved in April 2022, but a revised application was withdrawn in July 2025.
The new scheme, prepared by Kynman Design on behalf of the club’s trustees, proposes changes to the site’s layout, including relocation of the pétanque facilities.
The proposals have received support from people involved with the club.
Five public comments had been submitted by Saturday, October 24, all supporting the development with no objections recorded at that point.
Junior coach Maxwell Guest said better facilities would help young players develop and give families somewhere to socialise, while highlighting the frustration of the men’s first team having to play home matches elsewhere.
Women’s team manager and men’s player Callum Prince said the scheme was long overdue, arguing that improved changing facilities, accessible toilets and a clubhouse would help attract and retain players.
Jake Crozier also highlighted the expense of hiring other venues and the potential benefits for community groups and the primary school.
However, the planning application is still under consideration.
East Riding Council’s land drainage team has requested further information on how surface water would be managed, including drainage arrangements for the pavilion, games area, proposed five-a-side pitch and expanded car park.
The council’s Environmental Control team has raised no objection but has recommended conditions, including that floodlights should not be switched on before 8am and should be turned off by 10pm.
It has also recommended restricting construction work to 7am–6pm on weekdays and 8am–2pm on Saturdays, with no Sunday or bank holiday working unless separately agreed.
These conditions would be considered if planning permission is granted.
Brandesburton AFC is encouraging players, parents and residents to make their views known, saying the scheme is an investment in young people, adult football and the wider community.
The full plans can be viewed on East Riding Council’s online planning portal reference 26/02300/PLF.
The application was validated on Wednesday, October 14. The council lists a consultation expiry date of Tuesday, November 10, with the site notice expiring a week later.
Its internal target decision date is Wednesday, December 9.
