Plans for football pitch on Pontefract estate could be called off

The pitch was included in the plans as part of the Prince of Wales Colliery development on Pontefract’s Park Road.

And following a series of public consultation event at Pontefract Racecourse, it has been agreed in principal with Sport England that cash-in-lieu is a preferred option.

An application to remove the condition of building the pitch has been submitted by Harworth Group to Wakefield Council’s planning department and a decision will be made at a later date.

A report included in the application give the reasons behind the proposal changes.

It reads: “There is considered to be a surplus of provision for football pitches within the area as detailed in the Wakefield Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) and there are considered to be priorities for the receipt of financial contributions in the immediate vicinity to upgrade existing facilities.

“The overwhelming consensus of those whom responded (to the consultation) was to have a financial contribution.”