News

Alton Town Council to Hold Public Consultation on New 3G Pitch - Please support!

06 SEP 2025

*** UPDATE 18.09.25 ***

Please send your support via the Alton Town Council Feedback Form (comments accepted until 29th September).

The presentation delivered at the below meeting is available here.

Alton Town Council will hold an open public consultation on potential locations for a new 3G pitch in the town. This follows feasibility studies supported by East Hampshire District Council and The Football Foundation.

Why Alton Needs a 3G Pitch

East Hampshire District Council’s Playing Pitch and Sports Facility Strategy 2024–40 highlights a shortage of full-sized FA-registered 3G pitches, especially with projected population growth. The Football Foundation’s Local Football Facility Plan 2025 identifies Alton as the most suitable location to meet this strategic need.

As we know at Alton FC, a 3G pitch allows football to be played all year round, unlike grass pitches that are frequently waterlogged and lead to cancelled matches.

Several sites in the Alton parish have already undergone initial feasibility assessments. Councillors have recommended public engagement before a final decision is made on whether to progress one of their sites and whether Alton Town Council will lead the project with Football Foundation support.

Public Consultation Details

Date: Wednesday 17th September 2025
Venue: Alton Assembly Rooms
Time: 6.00pm

Your Voice Matters

The council will present the results of feasibility assessments and is seeking feedback on two sites: Diggers and Anstey Park (Jubilee Fields has been discounted). Without strong local involvement, this much-needed facility to improve the town and support its growing population could be located elsewhere or delayed.

Why This Matters for Alton FC

We believe that for Alton FC, and indeed Alton as a community, this project is essential. As our players, members, and families know:

• With 50 teams, we struggle to fit training sessions for all of our teams on the single 3G pitch each week.
• Weekend matches cannot all be accommodated on our one 3G pitch.
• Weekend matches are often cancelled due to waterlogged grass pitches.
• We have waiting lists for juniors across multiple age groups.

Anstey Park is the most logical and beneficial site, being in close proximity to our existing club and facilities. A stand-alone facility at Diggers would significantly increase project costs.

The council will consider consultation feedback at their subsequent meeting on 8th October to decide on ATC sites moving forward to full feasibility studies.

Take Action!

Please attend the open public consultation on Wednesday 17th September — your voice can help ensure this vital facility is built in Alton, supporting football for current and future generations. Let's not waste this opportunity.

For Alton FC, this new 3G pitch will not only enable us to cater better for our existing members, by relieving pressure on training and match schedules, it will allow the club to grow, giving more young people in Alton the chance to enjoy football.

Thank you for your support.

Carl Saunders
Chair, Alton FC