Plans for £1.5 million stadium built out of shipping containers revealed
The proposed Lincoln Road Playing Field will be made out of re-purposed shipping containers
By Latifa Yedroudj, Junior Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a £1.5 million stadium in Newark built out of re-purposed shipping containers have been revealed.
The Lincoln Road Playing Field development is part of the overall Yorke Drive Estate Regeneration scheme, which will see 207 new homes also built.
Newark & Sherwood Council gave final planning permission to the overall housing scheme on February 13.
Lincoln Road Playing Field is due to be be transformed into a 500-seater sustainable stadium, according to proposed plans which will be submitted later.
Newark & Sherwood United FC (NSUFC) revealed a 3D model of the proposed stadium designed by Gusto Group architects, Studio G and Rototek.
The project, expected to cost £1.5 million, will be built out of 66 re-purposed shipping containers.
The stadium will run on a sustainable approach with off-grid energy solutions such as solar power and rainwater harvesting.
There will be a flood-lit pitch for training and games, as well as a bar and balconies overlooking the pitch.
Other facilities include changing rooms, a community kitchen, a boxing gym, a shed workspace and space for music events. There will also be tree planting around the site to create a woodland walk.
NSUFC will be based at the new stadium alongside other local junior clubs.
Steff Wright, the chairman of Gusto Group, said: “There are millions of shipping containers that travel around the world carrying goods.
“So this is a sustainable approach. They don’t need to have the same type of foundations of engineering that a normal construction would require.
“They’re more affordable and flexible to make changes to the design elements.
“The design will be a wrap around stadium, quite often modern football stadiums are full wrap-around which is expensive to do when you’re building a large stadium.
“But the design we developed is using two levels of shipping containers, one on top of another, that wrap all the way around the ground and create an enclosure.
“It will be an amazing environment to play football and watch it.
“The viewing platform at the second level will mean you’re very close to the edge of the pitch and looking down, it will be a very unique viewing experience for people.
“We don’t just want this stadium to be used for football, but for many other concerts and other activities.”
Cllr David Moore (Newark & Sherwood Ind), Vice-Chair of Newark & Sherwood Council’s planning committee, praised the Yorke Regeneration Drive project as a “marvellous” addition to the town.
He said: “It’s been quite a few years in the planning, there have been ups and downs.
“Now we have had the opportunity as a council approve it so builders can get their spades in the ground and get it started.
“It’s marvellous, we need it for the area. It’s a great project and its well thought out.
“It’s a great space for the residents, it will take a few years to get it built overall, as these things don’t happen overnight.
“I’m looking forward to end result in a couple of years time.”
NSUFC said they will submit a planning application for the 500-seater stadium by the end of March for the council’s approval.
They will be holding several public consultations before submitting the application, they said.
The wider Yorke Drive Estate Regeneration scheme will see a total of 130 homes demolished together along with the existing sports pavilion, playing fields and a row of garages.
A total of 207 new homes will be built in their place, including 18 one-bed apartments, 54 two-bed houses, 117 three-bed houses and 18 four-bed houses.
Out of the 207 homes, 74 of will be designated as affordable housing, while the other 133 will be private housing.
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