Football pitch plans 'should be rethought'

'FOOTBALLS COULD END UP ROLLING INTO THE WATER'

- ANDY PHILLIPS

PLYMOUTH'S Central Park Interest Group has urged the council to reconsider plans to site a football pitch on the field immediately above the new ponds development.

Their spokesman, Andrew Young, said the idea of goalposts above an area clearly created for the enjoyment of nature seems incongruous, while it could also mean that footballs end up rolling into the water.

Mr Young, who was formerly chairman of Friends of Central Park, suggested the park may benefit from a masterplan being drawn up, which could avoid 'expensive' mistakes from being made.

Plymouth City Council last week revealed they were creating a new amphitheater on Reservoir Field, adjoining Peverell Park Road, from earth excavated to create the new pond.

But Mr Young estimates the authority could save as much as £500k by leaving the spoil on Barn Park Field and creating a natural landform there instead.

However, in correspondence with the council, seen by The Herald, the council told Mr Young it would be in breach of its own pitches policy if it failed to reinstate the football surface on Barn Park Field.