© 2008 Save Yeovil Rec

It is now for certain that the public have been mislead over the funding grant from English Hockey of £117k towards the proposed AGP. English Hockey staff have finally confirmed that no physical funding has been allocated to the project, for SSDC on the Rec in financial year 2011\2012. Which is contrary to what SSDC staff claim to the public & Councillors.

Council Leader Ric Pallister has declined  to confirm if this is true.  If you look on English Hockey's web site funding for 2011\12  the SSDC AGP is not mentioned, which leads one to believe that no funding is allocated.  SYR would have expected a prompt reply to quash any rumours, none has been produced. SYR will leave the public to form its own opinion of this less than honest behaviour by SSDC staff. As ever SYR will continue to ask questions to seek the truth.

The Planning Inspectorate (Bristol) have arranged a full Public Enquiry for the proposed footpath diversion by SSDC on

20th Nov. 2012. At the the council offices. Under the Highways Act 1980 Section 119. SSDC continue to insist that the reason for this is cosmetic tidying up of the North\South path, being moved to the unofficial  path created by SSDC on the eastern perimeter of the Rec under the hedge by the Pitch & Putt. The official path is frequently blocked by sports pitches and their activities,  which is contrary to footpaths being obstructed by the landowner without authority from the County Rights of Way team.

SSDC knew when they purchased the land as the owner that it should not block designated rights of way but have continued to do so. Although walkers & footballers have co existed with this arrangement ever since.

Despite all the above claims by SSDC the real obvious reason being that the path will be permanently blocked in two places by the security fencing of the new artificial pitch and other developments they are proposing in this area. This would warrant an application under the Town & Country Planning Act as a Developer would have to do.  SYR are aware that several objections have been submitted.

SCC have advise this week after taking legal advice a non statutory TG  Enquiry is to be held in July

When SSDC entered into section 106 agreements with Barratt Homes in Jan 2008 for a pitch the sum of £450k was allocated.

No consultation had taken place with the full council and those involved very confident that they could carry out development on the Mudford Rec without any consultation of the public or full council at that time.

This gesture of behind closed doors has now resulted in a  situation where the money can only be spent at Mudford Rec and no where else in the District by Jan 2013. Or the money returned with interest to the developer.

This is typical of SSDC decision making by the Lib Dem controlled council.  Ignoring all the risk factor associated with this. development.