More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Widespread anger has been felt among a town's football teams as a recreation ground overhaul would see them booted off their current pitch.
When KentOnline reported on Tenterden Town Council's (TTC) scheme for the town's rec earlier this month, football players shared their anger on social media.
The upgrade work would see the creation of a play area, skate park, youth hub and netball and tennis courts.
However, a line in the application notes the hard-surface courts would be built on the existing pitch "of which the Tenterden Tigers football team have recently relocated from here".
It transpired that the team have not relocated and have not been informed of the building plan before it was submitted.
Graham Smith, who helped set up the Tenterden Tigers 25 years ago, noted that the rec is the only pitch in the town and that a 10-year effort by a TTC-led group has proved unsuccessful in finding new pitches for the junior and senior clubs.
He highlighted the Homewood School 3G pitch built about four years ago, which "has provided an excellent facility for the town".
While he appreciates being able to hire it on evenings and weekends, he said "it is, however, costly and most teams/clubs can't afford to use it all year round".
Regarding the overhaul plan, the Tenterden resident-of-26-years said: "It does seek to provide a wide range of sports and physical activity which would benefit a wide range of the population.
"I have no issue with it as a principle.
"Ashford Borough Council said before the application was submitted it would only support it if the grass pitch was relocated. No such relocation has been found.
"It is stated on several occasions in the plan that the football pitch is now ‘redundant’ with the football teams having relocated elsewhere. This is factually incorrect and misleading."
He concluded by saying the smaller villages near Tenterden have better pitch provision than the town and that "it is about time that Tenterden achieved its goal of having sports facilities and particularly football pitches, to match its size and population".
Likewise, Tenterden Town Football Club chairman Nick Hall said: "The football club shouldn't just be thrown away like an insignificant non-mentionable.
"It is still the national sport and has significant support around the town.
"The alterations to the current pitch seem like a vanity project.
"I have played football and cricket at semi-pro, county and university level, and I have not come across this kind of disregard for the most popular and supported pastime."
Meanwhile town resident Edward Ratcliff commented on the application: "Fully support – this would be a first class facility for the town, for all ages.
"I hope it can come to fruition in the very near future."
Similarly Ashford Road resident Carol Parkin wrote: "I am totally in favour of this long overdue scheme.
"It will be a massive improvement to child and youth facilities and will be a huge plus for the town."
However, Peter West, who submitted an objection comment on the application, wrote: "Whilst the intention is commendable and much of the plan is appropriate, the glaring omission is the football pitch.
"Tenterden Town Football Club, which provides an outlet for local football talent, should not be deprived of their facilities.
"The fact that an additional tennis court is planned shows how out of touch they are.
"I have lived in the town for 30 years and have taken my children and dogs to ‘the rec’ consistently.
"The tennis courts have invariably been empty."
In response, the town council says that public exhibitions of the plan were met with 87% approval and that it "remains fully committed to football in Tenterden" having contributed £270,000 to the Homewood School pitch, which it says is now used "by the majority of local teams".
The town clerk added: "We've long been aware that our football players have been looking for a full-size grass pitch and we have spent a great deal of time looking for suitable venues, but so far without success.
"Unfortunately, the scheme for the re-ordering of the recreation ground simply does not have the room for a full-size grass pitch and that has been evident over the past four years that it has been out for public consultation.
"The scheme has always been very much resident-led and the council has to consider year-round usage for a far greater number of participants in BMX, skateboarding, tennis and netball and a variety of sports in the new multi-use games arena."
