Calls for County Council to provide more pitches

Welshpool Town Council is calling on Powys County Council to support a community group’s bid for more sporting facilities in the town.

The council were told this week that Sports Wales had agreed a £100,000 contribution following news that the Football Association of Wales had also pledged support.

The town has been left short-changed by the loss of Salop Road Playing Fields to develop the new primary school, and with little sign of replacements a group of concerned residents and stakeholders have pitched in to try and make a difference.

After months of planning and discussions, the group are now getting some traction and the Town Council voted on Wednesday to press Powys County Council to replace the playing fields.

Councillor Phil Pritchard said: “Welshpool Town Council should write to Powys County Council telling them they have broken a promise to provide alternative facilities to replace the playing fields.

“They have broken their word on this and we must fight for the children of this town. Without grass roots football there is no future for the game.”

Councillor Alison Davies said there were rules on green space provision. “ There are set levels and we are now below the recommended levels of green space. And it’s not just the young people – it’s the adults as well.

“This also puts our own pitches under greater pressure.”

The community group, which is made up of representatives of local sports clubs and headed by former High School Head Paul Coakley, has been discussing providing a 3G pitch on the Town Council owned rugby pitch but with costs spiralling are also considering the purchase of land on the outskirts of Welshpool.

The county council owned 3G pitch at The Flash, which is operated by Freedom Leisure has been out of action for 12 months but is due to reopen in December.

The councillors agreed to press Powys County Council and to call for support from One Voice Wales.