Bowling green cash offer fair says boss
Developers looking to build a controversial new motel on the site of a popular village bowling green today defended their offer of £20,000 to provide a replacement.
Martin Parrish, of the Planning Group Ltd which is working with former Shrewsbury Town and Telford United manager Jake King to put up a 30-bedroom motel in Ford, near Shrewsbury, said the offer made to Ford Bowling Club was a very fair and equitable one.
He said the bowling club and Ford Parish Council could also contribute financially to creating a new ground as a replacement for the site they currently use rent-free from Mr King.
He warned theoretically the bowlers could be moved off the site 'at any time'.
Members of the club are fighting the plans for the motel, which would be built on the green they use opposite Mr King's Ye Olde Cross Gates pub.
Mr King's team has offered £20,000 to help pay for a replacement green – but the bowlers claim more than £50,000 would be required to create a suitable facility.
Mr Parrish said: "The whole thing is regardless of planning on the site. They could lose the facility at any time. The offer is very fair and equitable and is there to assist." He added that the new development would help secure the future of the pub and create new jobs in the village.
"We need to support the rural economy and Jake's establishment, which is very profitable and working well, needs to diversify and make the business grow," he said.
But Ford Bowling Club claim they would struggle to find a suitable replacement site, while Ford Parish Council has also voted to oppose the plans. About a dozen complaints have been sent to Shropshire Council.
Andrew Price, a member of Ford Bowling Club, said: "The continuing loss of bowling greens and recreational space in general is quite alarming to watch and to lose this facility would be another nail in the coffin of local sport."
