Fight for new Market Drayton sports pitch hit by another blow

Campaigners who have been calling for the multi-use games area in Market Drayton since 2002 had hoped Sport England would pay for the facility.

But the latest news takes the project back to square one.

The pitch has been earmarked for land at Grove School in Stafford Street.

But Sport England said all funding has already been allocated and it would be at least 12 months before any new applications would be considered.

David Minnery, Shropshire Councillor for Market Drayton West, said it was a big blow for the project but should not spell the end of plans.

He said: "I don't think it matters where it is. It will be better at Grove School because it can be managed there but they don't have the money.

"We can wait 18 months as we are, without the pitch, and apply to Sport England next year or we will see if we can move it.

"We know we want these facilities. The question of providing it isn't the issue, it is the when and where."

In February Market Drayton Hockey Club set up a petition calling for a new community sports pitch in the town and about 150 people have signed it.

It's hoped the pitch would serve the town's hockey club, junior football club and local schools.

But Councillor Minnery has said that the 'Olympic effect' could go some way to securing the money for the pitch in the future.

"The current round of grants have all been allocated but Sport England has now been told it will have the same amount of money to give out next year," he said.

"It is pushing things back a little but it is an opportunity to have a long hard look at the plans.

"There is a meeting coming up near the end of the month with officers from Shirehall and we will see where we go from here."