Call for public to discuss pavilion

THE views of Belton villagers on a new £460,000 sports pavilion could be sought once again at a public meeting.

Belton Parish Council is expecting to hear whether it has succeeded in getting grants from the Football Foundation and recycling organisation WREN for the pavilion on New Road playing field in mid-December.

If the applications for £300,000 are granted, a four-page booklet will be distributed to parishioners detailing the plans and the public meeting, which could take place in January.

Parish council chairman Malcolm Scott told a meeting last Thursday he wanted residents to know what was being planned and to be able to say whether they agreed or disagreed with the plans.

He said if the councillors did not want a public meeting then the leaflet would have to give all the details of the proposals as the public had a right to know.

Mr Scott said: “We are effectively signing a 20-year mortgage on the village's behalf. I would like the facts put down on what the parish council is proposing so people can agree or disagree with it.”

The facility could be up and running by late 2009 providing changing rooms for Bohemians Youth FC in time for the start of the 2009 season, while the adult Belton FC team could play their home games on the playing field.

Belton Cricket Club may also

be able to play their home games at the playing field, but this is dependent on the council securing extra land for the pitch and may

not happen until 2010 at the

earliest.

But the pavilion will not just be available for sports teams as a community room, conference centre and training room are included in the plans for use by village groups and businesses at Gapton Hall and Harfreys industrial estate in Yarmouth.

Other facilities at the centre will include showers, toilets, a small kitchen and rooms for matchday officials.