Playing fields will be for everybody

The planning appeal procedure forms part of the democratic process, whereby a fully independent, unbiased, planning inspector carefully scrutinises the facts of a planning application and arrives at a balanced decision.

Had the inspector found against the amateur rugby club, I have publicly stated that I would have been extremely disappointed, but I hope that I would have had the good grace to accept it.

The fact that, after careful examination of the plans, the inspector found in favour of the application will, I hope, go some considerable way to re-assure those who may be worried by the scheme that the reality will not have a significant impact on their daily lives.

The private company referred to in the comments of Mrs Reeder is Rotherham Rugby Club Ltd. The company is not a commercial enterprise but a non-profit-making organisation created for the promotion and playing of amateur community rugby in the town.

All the officials of the company undertake their duties on a voluntary basis with a belief that the participation in sport, especially by the young, can deliver many health and social benefits to the community.

The amateur club operates a truly open membership policy with absolutely no discrimination with respect to age, race, gender, ability or sexual orientation. Our intakes from under -sevens to senior are representative of all parts of the borough. We wish to give, not take from the community, by giving young people the opportunity of enjoyment and fun through recreation and team sport in a secure environment.

Any lease agreement with RMBC will, in addition to terms imposing good stewardship and good management responsibilities for the lease area, incorporate a service level agreement with the council’s sport development team.

This agreement will ensure that our current sporting objectives are formalised and consolidated and that additional objectives are developed. These will include the establishment of female teams at junior and senior levels, opportunities for people with disabilities to play rugby, 12 hours each month free of charge community use, specifically for RMBC development activities, a robust rugby club-to-school link, community holiday and out-of-season activities, and open community activity designed to raise participation in sport and physical activity.

By these means, we will hope to achieve a greater appreciation and enjoyment of the playing fields from a much wider population than presently uses the area.

The council’s planning report confirms that the application area, which occupies three sports pitches, represents only a relatively small part of the total site area of the playing fields, the vast majority of which would remain open for all other current users and activities.

Furthermore, the two football pitches and one rugby pitch currently situated on the application site will be relocated nearby, at the rugby club’s expense, thereby ensuring that there is no loss of playing pitches available to other parties.

I can, therefore, see no reason why everyone cannot continue to enjoy the playing fields in much the same way as they are enjoyed currently, and I would respectfully ask those not in full agreement with the scheme to reflect on its merits for the borough’s young people in particular and temper their objections and public comments accordingly.

John McCormick, Rotherham Rugby Club