Playing field has uncertain future (From Barry And District News)

Playing field has uncertain future

THE change of use of a Barry playing field has sparked fears for its future.

The field, on the site of Barry Sports Centre, was used as a football pitch for decades. But for the past two seasons, rugby has been played on the ground.

But according to Tony Williams, chairman of the Vale of Glamorgan Association Football League, just a handful of rugby matches have been played there - leaving the field vacant for the majority of the two seasons.

He hopes this lack of use will not encourage the council to sell off the land to developers to build on.

Mr Williams said: "For the past 30 years, this pitch has regularly been used as a facility by the local football league for people who enjoy playing football.

"Being the best pitch at the sports centre, most of our top fixtures, both at junior and senior level, were regularly played there.

"Football matches played on this field generated fair crowds, and being prominently placed on the main route into Barry, gave a very good impression to the passing public.

"Please can someone see sense and return this pitch for football use!"

Dave Knevett, the council's operational manager for leisure and tourism, said the use of the pitch would be reconsidered at the end of the season.

He added: "All mini football and rugby for under 12s is played at Barry Sports Centre rather than the Buttrills, so young people do not have to cross the busy Colcot Road.