There is an opportunity for the sports pitches at Redland Lane (belonging to Matravers School) and Penleigh Park (owned by West Wilts District Council) to be replaced on the other side of the road by twice as many sports pitches plus a 25-acre car park.

This new land will belong to the owners of the present pitches.

The proposed pitches would include junior football/rugby pitches, adult football/rugby pitches, a cricket pitch and an all-weather pitch suitable for hockey. There will also be a pavilion with parking spaces. Matravers School would acquire all-weather pitches on campus plus an athletics track.

The recent town limit was moved to exclude the existing sports pitches by the portfolio holder, despite the inclusion being agreed by the town council and the planning committee at district.

This swap of 12.5 acres for 25 acres of sports pitches does not find favour with the people who back onto the existing pitches quite understandably. However, the benefits must also be counted.

Over 300 boys and girls belong to the Westbury Junior FC. At present they play on the two pitches belonging to Matravers School, but these will be required by the school for their own use within the next two years if they do not get the all-weather pitches this exchange will give them. Therefore the youngsters will have nowhere to play. Sport England says that young players should not play on full-sized pitches.

It is obvious to those who look at the Town Plan that the Redland Lane pitches are almost surrounded by existing housing. The same will shortly be true of the Penleigh Park ground. Why are these obvious building lands being excluded from the Westbury limit? Just to suit the caprices of the existing householders.

The existing playground for young children will be enlarged and more equipment supplied. It will not be built on, it will be there for the use of children living locally and too young to cross roads safely.

A surface crossing will be provided for the use of the sports people and a footway provided for those walking across the front o the new parkland.

The Football, Youth Football, Rugby and Cricket clubs are prepared to run these new pitches, thereby exonerating the district council from charges for this. It is known that there are not sufficient sports pitches available. Where is the objection to this plan? I have three children who will benefit from these pitches: why should they be prevented from playing team sports?

MRS H MOORE

Fell Road,

Westbury