THE two recent letters referring to the dereliction of Sling Lane Playing Fields are absolutely right (September 5).
In 2004 the Heart of Malvern Residents Association (HOMRA) was formed by local people living around the Sling Lane and Greenhill Drive areas, to fight to protect and preserve the fields as they were designated: public open space and playing fields.
We argued that this public amenity should not be given over to a small, single interest private football club (Newtown) on a 25-year lease.
HOMRA was well supported by many local residents, but sadly not by our local councillors.
In March 2012 Malvern Hills District Council planning committee, chaired by one of our local councillors, controversially voted to approve the development and lease the fields to Newtown FC.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds of local taxpayers' money has been spent on this project so far.
The end results are obvious. Now no football is being played there, whereas once several clubs did, and safety issues concerning the railway tunnel access remain unresolved. Newtown Junior FC were judged by the council to be unable to manage the project and the council took over the project in November 2011.
Monica Denham
HOMRA member
Malvern
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