New paintball field in Penkridge

[Nitestorm]

Well hopefully *fingers crossed*. Front page of local Express & Star, about protesters likely to lose their case for preventing a new paintball site starting up at Lower Drayton Farm (using Honey Pots forrest), just off the A449. Supposedly it should get approval from South Staffordshire Council's regulatory committee today.

I remember hearing about this last year that the owner of the land wanted to turn it into a paintball field, but was having problems getting permission.

There is quite a few in that local area now too. Cannock, Lichfield, Telford, Uttoxeter, Wolves, etc. Which is always good, more choice for us and hopefully also some cracking deals with all the competition.

 

[Eddy - The Troggs]

I read about that. Hope they get permission

 

[joeyarmstrong]

when was this in the express and star??

if i can i want to get a copy and read about it, as i play in that area

thanks

 

[Nitestorm]

It was frontpage on monday's (11th August) Express & Star (Cannock edtion).

 

[joeyarmstrong]

aaaarrgggggggg.

cant get one as i dont live in the cannok area although thats where i play.

anyone know any good paintball sites in the cannokk area that offer membership for own gunners ( membership gives cut enternce fee and discount of balls)

cheers.

just looking for another site to be playing at so im not always on the same fields all the time

 

[Nitestorm]

In todays Express and Star (Burntwood/Lichfield edition), an article saying plans for the new paintball site at Honey Pots Forrest are in doubt now, due to concerns by some of damage to wildlife and possibility of it attracting drug dealers.

A new cark park would be created for the site and according to the article, Penkridge parish councillor 'Isobel Ford' told the council she was concerned the new car park is hidden from view of the main road. That someone put it to her it would be a likely spot for the exchange of drugs and so on. She is also concerned if approved, they would then be asked for permission for more permanent buildings on the site.

Also the Rambers Asscociation are against it due to claims it is home to wildlife such as badgers, rabbits and foxes.

Councillor 'Bevan Craddock' says he knows the area in question very well and feels it's important locally and should be left alone and that paintball would be 'detrimental' to it. Also said he had spoken with parishes where such paintball sites have been allowed and said badgers had left their sets. So the Parish Council have contacted the South Staffordshire Council to protest about the proposal.

Personally don't know that area well or Honey Pots Forrest, or the proposed plans for the paintball site, so can't really comment if such concerns raised are justifiable or just a load of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt..a common marketing technique when unable to present hard facts by scare-mongering and gossip to cast a shadow of doubt in peoples minds). For example, no idea if the planned site is so big (or the forrest so small) as to force out and leave no space for the current wildlife. Or if drug dealers really like 'car parks' in a forrest. I guess Cannock Chase forrest must be drug central around these parts, rather than some secluded alley way in the town centre?

 

[Nitestorm]

Anyone heard anymore on this? Would be a shame if the planning permission got declined.

 

[Nitestorm]

yay! it seems to have been approved afterall, though not without restrictions:

http://www.expressandstar.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=18&num=47717

A controversial Staffordshire paintballing business which won planning permission earlier this week will open by the spring, it has been announced.

The man behind the scheme in Penkridge, Richard Tomkinson, revealed that he broke down in tears of joy when he was told the permission has been granted.

The 30-year-old has been fighting to win approval for the business, which will create around 10 jobs, for two-and-a-half years. He sold a previous company to pay for the new venture which has already cost him £50,000, plunging him near bankruptcy.

Permission has now been granted for the business at Honey Pots forest at Lower Drayton Farm off the A449 despite concerns over the impact on wildlife.

But games cannot take place on Tuesdays or Wednesdays or at all during January, February, March or April, in a bit to protect the wildlife.

Mr Tomkinson, who originally comes from Stafford, said he will now be appealing against that condition because a wildlife survey which he paid for found no problems.

 

[Dark Warrior]

local authourities actually don't have much that they can legally do to stop a paintball site opening, but it is easier to shut one down