EARLEY Town Council has issued a statement refuting allegations that it had supported plans to build a 3G football pitch in Laurel Park.
At a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council last month, council leader John Halsall shared an email from Lib Dem opposition leader which pupports to show his support for such a scheme, something he strongly denies.
It was sent in December 2020, after plans to build a 3G pitch in Cantley Park were revealed. “It would be great to have something similar (in Laurel Park),” he wrote.
Cllr Jones told Wokingham Today that he was referring to plans to improve general facilities, and not requesting a 3G pitch.
Plans for such a venture were pulled last month, following resident opposition.
Now, Earley Town Council, which is run by the Liberal Democrats, led by Cllr Jones, has made its position clear.
“The Town Council is aware of recent media reports suggesting that Earley Town Council had supported plans to build a 3G sports pitch at Laurel Park, next to Maiden Erlegh Nature Reserve,” the statement says.
“We would like to confirm that neither Earley Town Council nor any of its committees have discussed the 3G pitch proposal and the Town Council has never adopted a view on the matter.
“As was made clear to a local residents’ association, were information to be provided to Earley Town Council by Wokingham Borough Council or a planning application be submitted, this would be discussed at a meeting of the Town Council’s Planning Committee.
“The Town Council has not been provided with information relating to this proposal, therefore no discussion or decision has taken place. At no time did the officers of Earley Town Council have any information about the proposed 3G pitch, apart from what was in the public domain.”
