Work on a new 3G pitch at Witham Sports Ground has officially completed and is now open for clubs to use from September.
After netting a £290,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation and securing an additional £640,770 of Section 106 contributions from housing developers by Braintree District Council, work began on the site in March 2025.
The facility, based at Spinks Lane, also has new floodlights, meaning junior and adult matches and training sessions can take place all year round, as well as high fencing, goal storage, new spectator area, sports and maintenance equipment, and safe access for players and spectators.
Last week, councillors and partners who helped make the new pitch happen, visited to see the completed pitch first-hand.
The new pitch forms part of the council’s wider plans for four new 3G pitches in the Braintree district to improve outdoor sports facilities for both existing and new residents, funded by over £1.1million worth of Section 106 contributions. Other sites in the pipeline include Alec Hunter Academy and Notley High School in Braintree, and New Rickstones Academy in Witham. This comes after feedback from local sports clubs across the district who reported a lack of availability of 3G pitches.
Cllr Charley Dervish, Lead Member for Art, Heritage, Culture and Sport & Children and Young People at Braintree District Council, said: "We’re really pleased to see the new 3G pitch completed and ready to use. This is a fantastic facility that will benefit not just local football clubs, but the wider community too all year round, and we hope this new pitch encourages even more people to get involved in the game, from young children just starting out to adults looking to stay active. It’s a great example of what can be achieved through partnership and investment in local sport.”
Cllr Gabrielle Spray, Cabinet Member for Planning at Braintree District Council, said: “As new homes are built across the district, we’re able to secure extra funding from developers through Section 106 agreements to improve or create local facilities that support the growing needs of our communities. Witham Sports Ground is a great example is how we’ve used these contributions to invest in spaces that benefit residents and support grassroots football, as well as the other three sites in the pipeline across the district. We’re committed to utilise the planning process to bring in more funding to benefit our community and make sure it’s used to deliver improvements that make a real difference to people’s daily lives.”
The Football Foundation, which is the charity of the Premier League, the FA and Government delivering grassroots football facilities, has supported the development of these proposals.
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“We’re delighted that the local community in Braintree will now be able to enjoy all these benefits thanks to the new 3G pitch at Witham Sports Ground.”
Brendan Walshe, CEO of Essex County FA, said: “Essex County FA were delighted to work closely with Braintree District Council and Football Foundation to deliver this 3G AGP as part of a wider portfolio of projects across the district. It will make a significant difference to the thriving grassroots football community of Witham and surrounding areas. Grassroots football plays a vital role in strengthening local communities, and developments like this expand access to playing opportunities and help more people enjoy the many benefits of the game.”
Plans for an official opening event with the local community in September are in the pipeline for when the football season begins.
Adjacent to the pitch is the existing a 2G sand-dressed pitch suitable for hockey, which is home to Witham Hockey Club, who have both male and female adult teams and junior teams. It can also be used for football training and will have new netball markings and posts installed to facilitate floodlit netball training and matches too. The grass football pitches are also available to hire at weekends.