Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Baldock is set to expand further by housing developments that are planned, with this there needs to be an increase in sports facilities otherwise it will see local people going elsewhere for this, when it should be available to them in their own town.
From a young age I played football for Baldock Youth Football Team and there was always a large turnout to sign on. With the expected population increase it seems necessary that more sports facilities are created to help with this, as there is only Knights Templar currently that offers changing rooms along with its pitches. This will also have a positive effect on the local community, as I believe sport can teach younger children in particular discipline, team work, leadership and pushing themselves to achieve something. Instead of loitering in parks or in areas around the town causing disruption. Also as I progressed with Baldock Town FC from youth to adult level, games for the first team were played at Letchworth County ground (now at Roker Park in Stotfold) and the reserves on the Grange also in Letchworth (now the Arena, owned by Hitchin Town FC). Baldock needs its own stadium within the local community like it used to have, along with more facilities to encourage people to take up sport or take it to the next level. This can only benefit the town on a whole and see it grow in the right way.