Newick Sports Pavilion Redevelopment

Newick’s Playing Fields are located on Allington Road, Newick. They consist of the King George V Playing Fields (KGVPF) and the adjoining Manwaring Robertson Field. KGVPF is a designated Fields in Trust field. Both KGVPF and the Manwaring Robertson Field are owned by Newick Parish Council.

On the KGVPF site there is a Sports Pavilion, a cricket/stoolball pitch and a football pitch. The Marwaring Robertson field in Newick is home to a rugby pitch. The Sports Pavilion at King George V Playing Fields was a well loved and well used building for many years. In the past there have been several plans draw up to replace or extend the existing building. Much of this work historically has been done by Newick Sports Pavilion Charitable Trust (NSPCT). This body is made up of representatives from the various sports clubs and they lease the building from the owners (Newick Parish Council). Over many years volunteers from the NSPCT have worked really hard on various plans and options for the building but sadly the project has not come to fruition.

In June 2023 Newick Parish Council and the trustees of NSPCT agreed that the Parish Council (as owners of the building) will lead a project in collaboration with the trustees. User, resident and neighbour surveys were completed and having reviewed all the information gathered, the Parish Council commissioned a building survey. This was then followed up with further structural investigations and a review of what funding may be available.

Given the results of the building survey and limited funding options, the Parish Council decided to pursue an extensive renovation project rather than a new building. Local architect George Pottinger was appointed as Project Manager. The project manager finalised the plans for submission to Lewes District Council for planning permission. The application number was LW/24/0363 and the documents submitted include:

Design and Access Statement Proposed Site and Location Plan Proposed Ground Floor and Roof Plan Proposed Ground Floor and Roof Plan Proposed Elevations Sheet 1 Proposed Elevations Sheet 2

On 12th July 2024 the planning application was approved by Lewes District Council.

The Clerk of Newick Parish Council submitted an application for £200,000 to Lewes District Council for funding towards the project (the rest of the money will come from the Parish Council and fundraising). This was approved in July 2024.

Following a tender process the contract to undertake both Phase 1 (storage buildings) and Phase 2 (main building renovation) was awarded in February 2024 to Sussex based building company, Two Build. Work started in March 2025 and it is expected to be finished in early 2026.

The contractors’ working pattern is Monday – Friday during a usual working day. During the working day the Playing Fields car park will be closed to allow for deliveries and construction vehicle movement. Pedestrian access is being maintained throughout the process. Regular updates are posted on the Newick Parish Council Instagram page.

The Sports Pavilion Managements Trust is fundraising for the project, if you would like to donate please use this link https://gofund.me/3cbacc35