As I have previously promised to do, here is the latest update regarding our development proposals at the Grove. Our development plan falls into two initiatives - the fence surround (the latest position I reported to you all recently) and the portcabin dressing rooms, to be located adjacent to the first team pitch. It is the latter of the two for which I have an update and I am sad to say it is not good news! Back in June, our Club Development Committee formalised dressing room proposals with a planning consultant and plans were drawn up accordingly. We were given a commitment at that time by the consultant (who is helping us free of charge) that he would submit the planning application on our behalf and we provided the necessary fee (£440) to enable this to be done. We were also advised at this stage that the planning application process would take approximately eight weeks and we have regularly contacted our consultant to see how things were progressing. We have been advised throughout the interim period by our consultant, that things were progressing well and that a decision would be expected around the end of August. However, the decision was not forthcoming and due to a lack of clarity from our consultant I therefore contacted North Somerset Council myself to find out just what was going on. I was staggered to find out that the application had never been received or registered and following a number of subsequent conversations with the consultant, it appears the application has been mislaid (our cheque payable to North Somerset District Council has never been cashed I would add and the original cheque stopped). This is a significant setback because we have lost two months of valuable time and have no option but to re-submit our application. This is being done by our consultant tomorrow (20/9/2004) and this time around I have personally sent the replacement cheque myself, asking to be advised of the application number so that I can track progress without relying on a third party. I am sure, like me, you find these events both disappointing and frustrating, but please be assured myself and the Club Committee are still driving hard to turn our dreams into reality. So a minimum of another eight weeks I'm afraid, but I am sure we'll soon make positive steps with our plans.

Spence