Hutton FC Chelmsford Road clubhouse approved by Brentwood Council

Hutton Football Club, which has around 750 players in 70 teams, has been allowed to start the expansion at its base off Chelmsford Road.

The club has been playing at the site since permission was granted for its first three football pitches in 2016, which were expanded by nine mini pitches in 2021.

It has also been granted permission to use multiple pitch configurations from season to season and potentially week to week to accommodate different age groups playing on the site on their appropriate-sized pitches.

The club says it needs a clubhouse to bring its large organisation together and to house the community engagement being developed with local schools, especially nearby Shenfield High School, which uses the pitches.

Hutton FC has been given permission for a clubhouse off Chelmsford Road (Image: Google)

Garry Sapsford, director of sport at Shenfield High School and chairman of Mid-Essex District Schools Football, told the Brentwood Borough Council planning committee on May 13 that a lack of changing facilities was limiting its options.

He said: “We do have this problem with the lack of toilet facilities and changing facilities on this wonderful new facility.

“So, in my role as director of sport and chairman of the district, I’m incredibly supportive of these opportunities that are going to help children.

“We know the benefits are significant in terms of physical, mental and social wellbeing.

"However, we are currently restricted in what we can provide because of the lack of opportunity for regular, safe participation and the lack of access to toilet facilities and changing facilities.”

The plans were granted unanimously.