Plans for new Alresford rugby pitches still alive despite recent 'shambles' (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Plans for new Alresford rugby pitches still alive despite recent 'shambles'

4:00pm Monday 18th March 2013 in Winchester

PLANS for new rugby pitches in Alresford remain alive although the recent dispute was described as a “shambles” by a town councillor last week.

Two five-figures grants are in jeopardy unless Alresford Rugby Cub starts work by the end of June on building the pitches at Arlebury Park.

The town council last Thursday (MARCH 14) agreed to lease the club more land after the earmarked area was found to be too small.

But the council wants a public meeting held and also the risks and questions over the lease to be sorted with landowner Rodney Morgan-Giles.

So it is now a race against time for all the paperwork, including planning permission, to be sorted within the next three months.

Earlier this month the Chronicle reported how the club and town council were blaming each other for the problems which could result in grants being lost from Sport England and the Rugby Football Union.

Town councillor Natalie Carpenter said: “There has been a massive...I had better not say the word, a complete and utter shambles.”

Cllr Roy Gentry said the rugby club did not have the offer of RFU grant in writing. He added that the RFU had “chosen not to communicate with us. You cannot say the funding is in place.”

Paul Maxlow-Tomlinson, of Arlebury Park Mews, questioned the £167,000 expenditure when the club has relatively few members.

Club chairman Chris Day said the new pitches would stimulate demand especially for mini and junior rugby.