AFTER many months, the people of Holsworthy are one step closer to getting the football pitch at the Redrow site promised to them.

During the annual town meeting on Wednesday, April 17, mayor Cllr Jon Hutchings said although there had initially been miscommunication between the parties involved regarding the 106 agreement, which would see Redrow set aside funding to supply the town with a football pitch, things were now on track and it is hoped the new pitch will be available for the 2019/20 football season.

He told councillors: “A good example of miscommunication was the 106 agreement relating to the football pitch on the Redrow estate. This agreement was made many years ago by Torridge [District Council] and the developers. As a council we were expecting an FA standard football pitch. It turned out the very loose 106 was actually for a basic football pitch which didn’t have to meet any FA standards. The result is a piece of grass with some drainage.”

However, although the pitch is not what the council first expected they are hoping the council can take over the ownership of the area providing the final issues regarding drainage and the pitch height can be rectified. Cllr Hutchings said: “It has taken most of the last year but we are hopefully nearing a time to have the pitch handed over to the town council. There is now only one problem left to be resolved and that is the query over the drainage and the height of the pitch.

“If Torridge are satisfied the height is acceptable with the plans and the drainage will work properly the town council will take over the pitch. If this can be agreed then I see no reason the pitch won’t be playable for the 2019/20 football season.”