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Leamington FC is based at the New Windmill Ground. The name connects our heritage with our future. Our old home at the Windmill Ground in Leamington itself was sadly vacated in 1988, while our proud new ground stands in the shadow of one of the last windmills still in existence in Warwickshire.

This page will endeavour to keep fans abreast of building and structural developments at the New Windmill Ground.

The club has a long-term plan for developments at the ground with the aim of providing enhanced viewing for spectators in a comfortable and safe environment. Spectator safety and ‘access for all’ are key priorities.

Progress of the team on the pitch is likely to influence our priorities, as we will have to meet the Ground Grading Requirements determined by the Football Association in the event of hoped for promotions.

Warwick District Council gave the thumbs-up to Leamington FC's planning proposals at a planning meeting held at the Town Hall on Tuesday 28 May. The plan includes a new stand on the west side of the ground and an extension to the clubhouse. The changes will enable the club to bring the New Windmill Ground to the standard required for Southern League Premier Division football. Club President David Hucker said "Given that it took 17 months from when we submitted the application to when it went before the committee we are very pleased with the outcome" but "there is the threat of a judicial review which has been made by the objectors, so we'll have to see what happens with that". There will be no immediate start to building work, Mr Hucker said. "Like anything else at the ground, the speed of progress will be dictated by money. It's a case of doing it step by step".

The following statement was released today by Leamington FC:
There has not been a major statement from the club since June 2006 though there has been considerable activity to try to resolve outstanding issues that are preventing the acceptance of the club's plans for long-term development at the NWG. As you know the club has addressed the issues of light pollution, and noise pollution from the PA system, by installing new lights and a state-of-the-art PA system. Both these initiatives have been welcomed by Warwick District Council and local community groups. The club has also addressed the Council's concerns, born of the club's success, by recently increasing hard-standing car-parking around the training pitch area and will shortly have moved the main gate further in to help prevent vehicles entering the ground backing up onto Harbury Lane. The major sticking point remains a question posed by local community groups concerning crowd noise on match days and Warwick District Council, quite rightly, has a duty to consider views from all those it represents, not just Leamington FC. Clearly the club has a view but is mindful of the need to maintain good relations with all of its neighbours as well. So, though progress may appear slow at times, in the context of the club's future good relations within its community the club believes that it will prove time well spent.
Mick Brady (Chairman)

Article dated 18 December 2006

In July 2005 club officials met with Warwick District Council Planning Department officers who requested the club to submit an entire ground development plan. The Planning Department saw this as a necessary step in view of the rapid progress made by the team and the likelihood of continuing progress. Those plans were submitted to the Planning Department in January 2006 and since that date the club together with our architects have been addressing issues raised by the public, the Planning Department and Highways Authority. We believe the hearing of the planning application is very imminent and wait for the outcome with bated breath.

NEW STAND
As many of you are aware the club needs to fully meet the grading requirements of our current league. A 150-seat stand with disabled and press facilities has been ordered from Arena Seating and will be delivered to the NWG as soon as the hoped for planning approval is granted. Delivery to erection timescales is approximately two weeks. This is a pre-fabricated structure that meets all latest safety requirements. It will be located on the East Side of the ground. Part funding from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund has been approved for the stand and foundations.

FLOODLIGHTS
Following difficulties with the floodlights last season it has been necessary to purchase new lights which although actually brighter will use less power and significantly reduce light pollution. The work will take 7-10 days to complete and will be finalised prior to the commencement of Season 2006-2007. This has been an unexpected and significant cost to the club. It had been hoped that the current lights would last for several more years. An application for grant aid has been made to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, the outcome of which we are awaiting. Further updates will be placed on the site over the coming weeks.

Article dated 17 June 2006

The new PA system at the New Windmill Ground was demonstrated on Monday to representatives from the Environmental Health who yesterday confirmed in writing that it meets the necessary noise pollution requirements. The system is designed with 22 separate speakers such that the sound is contained within the immediate area. The system dramatically lessens the impact upon our neighbours and fans will notice a marked improvement in clarity with no distortion or fade between speakers. It is a quality product that will enhance the atmosphere at the NWG.

The main pitch and training area have been dressed with 120 tons of Estuary sand this week as our award winning ground staff continue their efforts to make the NWG surfaces among the best around.

New aluminium goals have been purchased and will be installed within a couple of weeks. A full size portable steel goal has also been purchased for use on the training pitch.