Council gives green light for expansion at Radford & Hymas
Mansfield District Council's planning applications committee has approved proposals from Mansfield Town Developments to expand the club's training complex at the Radford & Hymas site on Woburn Lane, Pleasley. The decision allows a package of new facilities intended to increase the capacity and quality of the League One club's academy and wider training provision.
The approved scheme, as set out in planning documents, comprises an indoor pitch, an outdoor pitch with lighting, a gym building and two new car parks. A report prepared for the council meeting said the project would deliver "material benefits" through investment in sports infrastructure.
What the development includes
- Indoor pitch to provide year‑round training capacity.
- Outdoor pitch with lighting to extend usable hours.
- Gym building for strength and conditioning work.
- Two additional car parks to improve access and parking provision.
The Radford & Hymas facility was originally opened by Mansfield Town in 2016. Planning papers note that in 2023 the club purchased additional land nearby from Nottinghamshire County Council with a view to expansion. Documents submitted to the authority said the extra facilities would allow the club to grow, support teams across all levels and "promote healthier lifestyles in the area", while also making "optimal use of an existing facility that is operating below its potential".
"The proposed development will set an example of high quality sports and leisure facilities which has been subject to limited investment over the years, but despite this, it is still popular in demand."
Local benefits and questions
Supporters of the project say the scheme will strengthen the club's ability to develop players and expand community provision. The planning report emphasises both sporting and public‑health aims, suggesting the investment will encourage local participation in sport.
However, the expansion also raises practical matters for residents around Pleasley and Woburn Lane, particularly in relation to traffic and parking at peak times. The inclusion of two additional car parks in the proposals is intended to address some of those concerns, while the new lighting for the outdoor pitch will increase the hours during which the site is active.
Council papers underline the dual purpose of the development: to improve the quality of facilities used by the professional and academy squads and to provide amenities that can be used by the wider community. The documents describe the site as "popular in demand" despite having seen "limited investment over the years".
Timeline and key milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Radford & Hymas training facility opened by Mansfield Town |
| 2023 | Club acquired additional land from Nottinghamshire County Council |
| 2026 | Mansfield District Council approved expansion proposals |
The council's approval removes a significant planning hurdle, but it does not mean building work will start immediately. The club will need to progress detailed designs, any required ecological or construction surveys, and the procurement of contractors before work can begin.
For Mansfield residents, the project offers the prospect of improved local sporting infrastructure and potential community use of new facilities. For the club, it is presented as a strategic investment to grow the academy and support teams at all levels as Mansfield Town seeks to bolster its position in League One.
Local people and clubs seeking to use the new facilities will be watching the next steps closely — particularly how access arrangements and community bookings are managed once the expanded site is operational.
