By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
Reassurances have been given over a new ‘rubber crumb’ football pitch which will be built at the Forest Recreation Ground following concerns over safety.
The Forest Recreation Ground Sports Zone was built in 2015 using Sports England funding, while the current multi-use activity pitch has been in use since 2007.
According to Nottingham City Council, the lower sand and artificial grass football pitch is now “past its operational best and requires replacement” and the existing community building is no longer considered adequate.
Under new plans, which were approved at a meeting on Tuesday, March 19, the existing sand-based football pitch will be transformed into a new £1m third-generation (3G) rubber crumb football pitch.
The proposals have prompted some concerns, Cllr Steve Battlemuch (Lab), the portfolio holder for skills, growth, economic development and property said.
Cllr Battlemuch said: “There have been one of two emails come in over the past week from people querying about 3G pitches and health and safety following a report in the Netherlands that the Government had decided not to continue with 3G pitches.
“As portfolio holder I spoke to lead officer Ed Curry to assure myself and people coming to me about what we were saying on those things. It does look like the lobbies that were working with, including the UK Government, all say the pitches are safe.”
Rubber crumb is typically made from recycled tyres, according to a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) document prepared by the Football Association (FA) alongside UK Government departments and other sports bodies.
Following reports, particularly in the Netherlands back in 2016, the document says the European Commission asked the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to consider whether there was any health risks.
The ECHA published a report in February 2017 and concluded the “ECHA has found no reason to advise people against playing sports on synthetic turf containing recycled rubber granules as infill material.”
Cllr Battlemuch added he is assured the council has contingencies if legislation changes.
The sports zone facility is currently managed by the council in partnership with the Nottingham Forest Community Trust, which has pledged £300,000 in funding for the project.
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) will also be pledging £500,000 alongside almost £1.8m in additional funding from the Football Foundation, which is subject to confirmation following a request.
A condition and contractual obligation of the Sport England grant for the sports zone and pitch was that the council should set aside money to help replace and upgrade the existing sand-based pitch when it came to the end of its life.
From this fund £260,000 will also be used to help pay for the project.
Under the plans a 90-metre square extension will be added to the community building to increase the number of rooms alongside the redevelopment of the pitch.
Council leader Cllr David Mellen (Lab) said: “I think this is really, really good news and I think this is really important.
“Not only does it underline our relationship with Nottingham Forest Community Trust, but it is very much in the heart of an area with not a huge amount of family wealth and lots of housing which is close together.
“I am really pleased it is being improved. I think it is good news for the people of Forest Fields, the Arboretum and surrounding areas and good news for the city.”
Construction is expected to begin in February 2025 and the project completed by August 2025.
