Football pitches at Pengam Road, Aberbargoed, used by Fleur-de-Lys AFC, are to be sold off for development to raise £500,000 for Caerphilly Council coffers.
The playing fields are part of the old Bedwellty Comprehensive School and Caerphilly Council’s cabinet decided on April 25 to start the process to sell the land for homes.
The plan has been accepted by the club, who are looking forward to moving back to Fleur-de-Lys village to play home games.
Club secretary Shane Needs explained that the club had been in discussion with the council and would in future share facilities with Fleur-de-Lys RFC.
“This is a positive move for us and it’s something we’ve always wanted – to return to the village where we started from,” Mr Needs said.
“These are exciting times for the club which is expanding and we are looking for players of any age or sex.”
The club’ sides are gaining success with the under 14 side recently winning the Gwent County Cup and the Islwyn junior league.
Bedwellty County Secondary School was opened in 1937 and in 1973 became a comprehensive. The school closed in 2005 and the building was later demolished.
Initially the playing fields were unused but were brought back into use by the council parks’ department in 2015.
The two football pitches have been used by Fleur-de-Lys AFC for home games.
Club chairman Phil Bowden explained that this was the club’s third move in 18 years and the costs will have to be borne from club funds.
“This is a positive move for us, but the downside is the cost as we have two containers full of kit, including a ride-on mower, and a fitted kitchen in the back of a separate unit.
“The council have offered to help with getting the new pitch ready for football, but we have been told they won’t help with relocation costs,” Phil said.
The council-approved plans will start at the end of the football season and there will be consultations about the sale and the plans for residential development.
The pavilion that supports the pitches is on land that has already been sold for residential development and the buyer requires vacant possession by the end of May 2018.
The council also claims the pavilion is not fit for purpose and has already been moved several times. The cost of moving the pavilion and connecting it to services is estimated at £40,000.
The council also said match day parking is a problem for residents and to provide parking on-site could cost a further £50,000.
But there is no budget provision for these extra costs if the site was kept as football pitches.
This is disgusting at a time we need sports fields because of the rise in obsity. Its seems the council are selling off what ever they can to plug their budget black hole.
Indeed, more Labour council hypocrisy, they bleat on about child obesity and poor air quality and then sell off playing fields and recreational space to fill the black hole left as a result of paying the Chief Executive to take an indefinite vacation. Well good people of Caerphilly you voted for this shower, hope you’re all happy to see them selling off your local playing field and for probably a lot less than it is really worth.
Absolutely agree with you Mr Smith we need them.
Absolutely disgusting.
Cabinet need it to fill they pockets coffers are empty.
What we need is more independent councillors put them in charge of caerphilly council.
And let’s have a full independent council cabinet……
Put the labour Conservative and plaid cymru all out of office.
I agree, but there are no Conservative councillors!
The Authority, Kicks them off then leave them have the expense & Hassle of moving ,
I believe Fleur-de-lys, Run a few side’s, I’v been told 3 Under 12s sides they should be looking for more Playing fields to be provided not Giving up 2 of them without a fight, Shame on their Chairman and Secretary , The Islwyn League Might only allow them to register one under 12s side, Because of the playing field shortage they don’t seem to have considered this . ,
It seems Caerphilly council have totally lost the plot – as most others here agree we need these recreational spaces to help combat the rise in obesity.
It does indeed seem that they are selling off whatever assets they can to reduce their operating budget.
Perhaps the Authority should be put into special measures in order to ensure that the electorate get value for their money – because that certainly isn’t happening at present.
It seems we are back to the Oliver Twist scenario …..”Please sir,may I have some more ?” ( money that is )
Why is there no opposition to the loss of these Playing Fields.
We need them throughout the Borough, Which mean’s those in favour of saving them should stand up and be counted, Never mind what ward they represent,
or Party they belong to. The Borough is expanding population wise, But is shrinking, on the Well Being Side,. Our AM’s & MP’s NEED TO GET INVOLVED
Maly your right but all the AM’s & MP’s & Councillors don’t give a dam just sit on them big fat bums and take them big fat cheques and expense at the end of the month.
So corrupt. with a huge gardening leave bill to settle thats accumulated over the past two years for the nonsense that they indeed created . wouldnt let half of them in charge of the daily takens of my corner shop. I was always lead to believe playing fields were off limits how wrong was i
Actually the bill has accumulated for five years, but I agree with the rest of what you wrote.