Row over Manor Park playing pitch in Newbury

Newbury town councillors have attacked West Berkshire Council for a lack of publicity for consultation over the proposed Manor Park playing pitch.

They called the consultation so far as “simply not enough”, and claim it is completely inaccessible for those without internet access.

They have also argued that the proposed sports pitch, which they say is necessary due to the "Conservative bosses of West Berkshire Council’s decision to put a stop to football at the Faraday Road ground" is a threat to the local area’s accessible green space.

“There are four entrances with gates to this treasured green space in Clay Hill, and not one of them has any information or notification of the consultation for the proposed change of use for this land,” said Stuart Gourley (Lib Dem, Clay Hill).

“Rather than rip up this vital piece of Clay Hill green space, the Liberal Democrats have long argued that it would be a much better use of taxpayers’ money to return sport to the Faraday Road ground,” added Nigel Foot (Lib Dem, West Fields).

The district council’s portfolio holder for leisure, Howard Woollaston (Con, Lambourn), hit back, saying the criticism is unfair.

“We will be extending the consultation for an extra three weeks, and I will be holding a webinar to explain the plans in more detail,” he said.

“The site will still be available for dog walkers and the pitch will come with improved drainage.

“There will be more car parking – double the number,” he added, saying the car park would be made of ‘egg box design’ concrete to enable grass to grow through it.

“We concentrated on land we own already for a new pitch, as we don’t want to pay money out if we don’t need to,” he said.

The council said it had received 350 replies to the consultation so far.