Windsor RFC Launch £31k Clubhouse Fundraising Campaign
Windsor RFC is pleased to present our fundraising campaign to raise the funds necessary to apply for

planning permission for our proposed new clubhouse. Donate here: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/21906

We have received quotes, and have since selected preferred suppliers to enable us to undertake the necessary work associated with obtaining planning permission for our new clubhouse. Having received the response to our Pre-Planning Application from The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (RBWM) Council, there are a number of surveys and supporting reports that are required in order to proceed to a full planning application. The breakdown of these, and associated costs, is shown below:

Architect: £7,000 *** FEES WAIVED BY HUNTERS ***

Planning Consultant *** FEES WAIVED BY MICHAELA MERCER *** https://www.mercerplanning.co.uk/

Flood Risk Assessment: £2,250

Transport Statement: £2,500

Energy Statement: £2,200

Simplified Building Energy Model (with SAP 10) Calculations: £2,600

Preliminary Ecological Assessment & BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain): £2,800

Application Fee £6,468

Total Outstanding to be funded = £19,678

Please note, the club has already paid for the following costs, which have been accounted for in last season’s accounts.

Topographical Survey: £1,000 Pre-application Fee: £1,067

Next Steps

In what has been a challenging period for rugby clubs generally, intensified locally by the reduction in trade caused by the lack of rugby due to both the summer weather and Queen’s funeral, the Board has requested that every attempt is made to reduce the impact of applying speculatively for planning permission on day-to-day rugby operations. As such, we are launching a separate ring-fenced fundraising campaign for the clubhouse redevelopment. It is our view, that we need to gain planning permission first before we can move on to the more serious business of raising funds for the build costs (estimated at £3 million plus £500k contingency).

We are therefore launching a fundraising campaign, whereby members and organisations can pay a one-off donation or setup a monthly direct debit, with the sole intention of these being used to fund the above costs. We also have the support of a number of volunteers who will start to coordinate activity throughout the season with more details to follow in due course. So that planning work can start in parallel with fundraising activity, the club has committed to cover the cashflow required to pay for the above work, once the fundraising total exceeds £5,000. The logic behind this is that if we can raise £5,000, then this acts as a demonstration that the scheme has enough support and can build momentum to reach the £27,000.

With regards to the more daunting requirement to raise in excess of £3million, the Board has approved a fundraising strategy that it believes can be executed on the condition that we receive planning permission. More details will of course be shared, but as an indication, this is expected to be raised largely from private donations with a smaller proportion from grant-awarding bodies. We do not expect or intend to take on any debt as part of this capital raising.

We would like to continue to acknowledge the support of Mark Baines from Hunters and Michaela Mercer from Mercer Planning for their ongoing help and advice in getting us this far.

For more information about how to donate, please visit https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/21906 Please do send any questions on this subject to James Brayshaw on james@winshaw or call

07779334552.
Thank you in advance for your support, The Windsor RFC Board and GMC.