ST AUSTELL residents, sports clubs and community groups are being urged to have their say on plans for a new 3G football pitch at Poltair Park.

Cornwall College St Austell is preparing an application for the proposed facility at St Austell AFC, with the scheme aimed at creating a year-round space for football, community sport, physical activity and inclusive participation.

Two public consultation events will be held at St Austell AFC next week, giving local people the chance to view the proposals, speak to those behind the project and help shape what could become a major new sporting facility for the town.

The sessions will take place from 5pm to 7.30pm on Tuesday, September 22 and Wednesday, September 23.

Laetitia Mayne, Deputy Principal at Cornwall College St Austell, said the views of potential users would be central to developing the proposal.

“We want this proposal to be shaped by the people who could ultimately use and benefit from it,” she said.

“A new 3G pitch has the potential to create opportunities for young people, local clubs, schools and the wider community throughout the year.

“These consultation events are an important opportunity for us to listen and understand what St Austell needs from a facility like this.”

The college is seeking views from across the community, including football clubs and teams, women’s and girls’ groups, disability and inclusive-sport organisations, schools, coaches, parents, young people and recreational users.

Tregorrick AFC and Charlestown Football Club are supporting the consultation, while St Austell Rugby Club has also backed the proposal.

The rugby club has highlighted the need for suitable winter training facilities for its youth teams, potentially opening up use of the proposed pitch beyond football.

The plans follow a recently announced partnership between Cornwall College Group and St Austell AFC, which has already helped support the return of football to Poltair Park.

The partnership is intended to create further opportunities for sport and the wider community in St Austell, with the proposed pitch potentially providing another venue for local clubs and groups.

Chris Knight, joint manager of St Austell AFC, said the consultation represented an opportunity to establish exactly what local people want from the site.

“We’ve seen first-hand how much sport means to people in St Austell and this is an opportunity for the community to help shape what could come next at Poltair Park,” he said.

“We want to hear from as many clubs, teams, families and local people as possible.

“The stronger the response, the clearer the picture we can build of what the town needs and how a 3G pitch could be used.”

As part of the consultation, organisers are asking residents and organisations about how they currently use sports facilities, what activities they would like to see provided and how many people could potentially use the proposed pitch.

The information gathered will help inform the college’s proposals as it prepares to submit a planning application.

The community engagement events will be held at St Austell Football Club, Poltair Park, PL25 4LR, from 5pm to 7.30pm on both days.

There is no need to book, with residents able to drop in at any point during either session.

People who cannot attend in person can also contribute through the community questionnaire, allowing local residents, clubs and organisations to share their views on the proposal and how the facility could benefit the town.

Organisers are encouraging as many people as possible to take part before the planning application progresses.