Chiefs junior training pitches for hire?

Only motor sports banned

Pitches that were to be used by the Exeter Chiefs for training are set to be opened up so that other sports clubs can use them. Right now Exeter Youth Rugby – the junior section of the Exeter Chiefs – has exclusive rights to the turf at Oil Mill Lane, Clyst St Mary.

The club has submitted plans to remove the restriction from a rugby-only policy to include all field sports, but it would still exclude motor sports and leisure use by members of the public.

The application says it would make the playing fields:

• available o the community from May to September out of the rugby season 
• available to local sporting groups
• available to schools and disability groups
• available to local teaching groups with sport at the centre of their learning

They also say it wouldn't include additional lighting. A statement adds: “The club wish to state that originally when Exeter Chiefs sought and obtained approval for the site, it was envisaged that the Exeter Chiefs would train there on a daily basis. This is now not the case and has reduced the impact on Oil Mill Lane.

“There were teething problems in the early stages to which the club have worked hard at rectifying and believe now they have a logistically trouble-free club which has been demonstrated over the last two years, including a very good parking strategy which operates effectively.”

Exeter Youth Rugby is an independent and volunteer run company that operates the youth section of behalf of the Chiefs, providing the opportunity for around 250 boys and girls aged between 7 and 18 to train and play rugby.

The Exeter Chiefs had initially planned to base their training facility at Oil Mill Lane, but instead use training pitches at Sandy Park.

In 2014 plans were approved to create three new rugby pitches, access, parking, and changing facilities on former agricultural land at Oil Mill Lane, with Exeter Youth Rugby Ltd holding a 30 year lease.

East Devon District Council will decide the outcome on the proposals at a date to be set.