Axminster Football Club on target for its move to Cloakham as Sector Lane homes development gets cash backing

Axminster Football Club’s plans of building a plush new home at Cloakham Lawns have been given a �1.5 million boost.

The money – from the Get Britain Building programme - will help finance a housing development on its former ground at Sector Lane.

Money raised from building 71 new homes there is the key to facilitating the club’s move to larger premises.

But the plan was stalled due to a removal of funding provided by the Football Association

Now it’s back on track after developers Devonshire Homes secured major new funding.

Working with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which administers the Get Britain Building programme, it applied for the investment to support the construction of new club facilities for Axminster Town.

The investment will allow the first phase of 43 new homes on the site, eight of which will be affordable, whilst unlocking the development of new and improved facilities for the football club.

Now with the investment confirmed, Axminster Town FC will move to a new 10 acre site adjacent to the Cloakham Lawns Sports Club where Devonshire Homes will build improved supporting facilities.

These will include a new clubhouse, office space, changing facilities and two full size football pitches.

Colin Molton, HCA executive director, said: “This is an important project for us, as it supports the delivery of new homes which are needed in this area as well as unlocking the development of new facilities which the football club have been working hard to bring to the town.

“It’s good to see that the Get Britain Building programme is once again delivering new homes, community facilities and safeguarding jobs in our area through projects such as this.”

Paul Land, Devonshire Homes managing director, said: “We are delighted to finally have the green light on this exciting redevelopment project which addresses the town’s housing issues as well as supplying a superb community hub centre through the new club’s facilities.

East Devon District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Homes and Communities, Councillor Jill Elson, said: “The Council’s priority is to provide more affordable homes in East Devon, to help young people to be independent for the first time but also those who find themselves without a suitable home during these difficult times. We were therefore delighted to be able to support Devonshire Homes in its bid to secure substantial funding from the Get Britain Building programme.

“This investment will not only enable a much needed housing scheme to proceed in Axminster but it will also provide great new facilities for Axminster Town football club.”

* The new homes at Sector Lane will consist of 53 one, two, three and four bedroom houses alongside 16 affordable homes ranging from one bedroom apartments through to two and three bedroom houses.