Albion look to boost training ground with new facilities including gym and physiotherapy unit
West Bromwich Albion is looking to enhance its Walsall-based training ground with much-needed new facilities.
The Championship football club is looking to erect a new modular gym and physiotherapy unit on grassed space at the Birmingham Road site.
Bosses said the improvements will support the local economy as well as the development of their coaching and training.
Albion previously secured planning permission from Walsall Council for a similar proposal, which would have been based on land used as the goalkeeper training area.
But representatives said they had re-evaluated the viability of that scheme and have now submitted a revised plan – a decision for which is expected to be made in January next year.
The Baggies currently sit a lowly 21st in the Championship season with the next game taking place on Monday, away at Sunderland.
Simon Hibbert, director of Horsley Huber Architects, said: “West Bromwich Albion Football Club (WBAFC) are currently considering extending their existing training ground facility.
“They have undertaken a number of discussions with a modular building company to provide them with suitable accommodation for a gym facility.
“A similar scheme was granted permission for the erection of a modular building to house gym facilities on an area of land used for goal keeper training.
“Given the location of the consented scheme, the club is re-evaluating the viability of implementing this consent.
“The proposals seek to utilise an existing grassed area adjacent to the main access road of the site to provide a single storey modular structure to house accommodation ancillary to the main training facility building.
“The club wish to continue to improve the site in light of continued changes and improvements required to maintain a professional football team.”
A design and access statement added: “The training ground and its facilities building support the essential maintenance and training of players and academy team members of WBAFC.
“The use of the site will remain unchanged and continue to provide training facilities for use of WBAFC and its academy teams only.
“The proposals support a viable, long-term business, which continues to make a substantial contribution to the local economy and to the sporting community on a national scale.”
