I READ with great interest the article by Steve Tinniswood (LET, April 21) regarding the plans affecting the field at Sunny Bower, Blackburn.
John Forshaw, the man responsible for the application, described as the principal and Community Leisure Officer, wishes to impose his pipe dreams upon his employers, we, the residents, for reasons known only to himself.
I spoke to Mr Forshaw some weeks ago regarding his plans and he informed me that no official plans had been drawn up as yet and he was intending to bring back a designated sports area.
I informed him that that automatic right had now passed due to the period the area had not been used and asked if he had planning permission.
His reply: "No. I'm waiting for the funding and the application will be made."
I pointed out that perhaps he would be wiser seeking planning before the funding. He told me that planning applications cost money, hence his way of working. It would appear that the Lottery grant is to pay for the application also.
I let matters lie until I read your article and was most surprised to learn of an early decision on the grants.
I then spoke to the National Lottery grants and was informed that no monies would be handed over to any applicant without a full set of plans, planning permission being obtained, etc. Armed with this information, my wife spoke with Mr Forshaw. He informed her that the grant was National Lottery monies, via the FA and Lancashire Football Association. If this is the case, it would appear to be a back-door means of obtaining monies without the proper criteria being met.
I shall be writing to the National Lottery and informing them of these facts.
During his conversation with my wife, he was informed that the existing football pitches already in Blackburn with Darwen are in a poor state of repair, are not cared for properly and are unplayable for long periods of the year. He informed her that these pitches would be repaired out of the grant money applied for.
His plans for Sunny Bower include eight pitches in total, car parking for 46 vehicles and changing facilities. He states that the ground only requires drainage and marking out before they would be playable.
Anyone who knows this land will tell you that it slopes badly, is uneven and is boggy. It is obvious that it would need major surgery to construct anything like a decent playing surface, at great cost. The access road surface he has planned involves the purchase of land, again at great cost and against the will of the owners and would consist of a gravel surface, hardly a surface that will carry 46 cars on a regular basis.
What he has planned for the car park and changing facilities is anyone's guess.
According to Mr Forshaw, wildlife would not be affected and our outlook would be greatly improved.
Mr Forshaw should look around the poor facilities already in place within the town, improve them to a standard we can appreciate and leave us alone.
R TUCKER (Mr), Whalley Old Road, Blackburn.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article