Plans to build 250 new homes in Ashbourne, a market town in Derbyshire, could disrupt a 350-year-old football tradition, according to local organizers. The proposed housing development is set for 35 acres of farmland off Green Road. Steve Jones, secretary of the Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football Committee, has expressed opposition to the development in a letter to the local council, stating it could cause 'significant harm to Ashbourne's most important culture and economic assets'.
The Royal Shrovetide Football match, which has been played since 1667, involves two teams, the Up'Ards and the Down'Ards, competing every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. The game has no fixed pitch, starting each day at 2 PM and continuing until 10 PM, with goals located three miles apart at Sturston Mill and Clifton Mill.
Jones noted that the proximity of the proposed development to the Sturston Mill goal would 'obstruct a large proportion of the gameplay area', potentially undermining the game's historic operation and impacting local tourism and economy. A petition opposing the housing plans has garnered over 670 signatures, with organizer Brett O'Connell stating that the development 'cuts straight across where the Royal Shrovetide game goes'.
Developer Hallam Land Management has defended the housing plans, claiming they will 'deliver a sensitively designed residential addition to Ashbourne'. A planning document indicates that the site's constraints and opportunities have been carefully considered. The Royal Shrovetide Football event remains a significant fixture in Ashbourne's events calendar, with its unique traditions and rules, including a specially made ball weighing around 4 lbs. The game has seen participation from notable figures, including King Charles III, who has served as a 'turner up', the local individual responsible for starting the game.