Agreement reached with developer over new Saffron Walden Lime Avenue football pitches which would see them open during the summer

Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) is delighted that developer Persimmon and R4U-led Saffron Walden Town Council have resolved all issues over the delivery of the Lime Avenue football pitches, which are now expected to be open to the public during the summer.

Paul Gadd (R4U) Paul Gadd (R4U)

R4U, Cllr Paul Gadd, who is a Saffron Walden Town Councillor, said “R4U is delighted that all issues have been finally resolved with Persimmon Homes as announced at last night’s Town Council meeting, and we understand that the new legal agreements are expected to be signed by all parties shortly. The agreements resolve the outstanding issues concerning the new Lime Avenue playing fields, and allow them to be brought into use. The disagreement happened due to a poorly worded legal agreement between the previous Conservative-led district council administration and the developer. Since Uttlesford District Council changed leadership, things have improved significantly and now all issues have been resolved.”

Cllr Gadd added “As part of the agreements Persimmon Homes will place an order for the remaining changing facilities. Following that the Town Council and Saffron Walden Community Football Club will work hard to bring the playing fields up to the necessary playing standard as soon as they can. These new fields, in combination with the Town Council’s refurbishment of the pitches at Anglo American Playing Fields, and the new 3G pitch at the County High School, part funded by the R4U-led district council, provide a huge expansion for community football in our town. A lot of people locally have worked hard to get to this stage, including employees and members of the Town Council and Community Football Club. We’d like to thank them all.”

In December both R4U-led Saffron Walden Town and Uttlesford District Councils both wrote to the British Olympic Association asking them to review their sponsorship relationship with Persimmon Homes in light of the developer’s continued refusal to provide completed football pitches and changing facilities at the site. Read the press release here.

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