Organised sports banned at The Leys, Witney

Witney Town Council confirmed yesterday it will no long allow 'organised competitive sport' on 'Pitch One' on The Leys because of safety concerns – but it will still allow recreational use.

The field in question – the eastern half of the Leys – hosts the LibFest musical festival each year and other major events.

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The council put out a statement after rumours circulated on social media this week that the field was set to be sold for housing.

Council spokeswoman Poly Inness said: “Sport is not being banned at The Leys, as sport and recreational use will continue, in line with its historic purpose."

She went on: “The Sainsbury’s side of the Leys where Pitch One (the adult pitch) is located is also used for a series of highly popular events throughout the summer, which are fast becoming staples in the town’s calendar.

“As a result, Pitch One has been degrading over the last five or so years as a result of increasingly heavy usage throughout the year, despite Witney Town Council’s increased investment in renovation and maintenance work.

The issue with Pitch One was highlighted in a report by STRI two years ago.

The report stated that 'the area designated for football pitches at Leys is deemed unsafe'.

It also recommended that the site is 'longer used for natural sports pitches as it presents a genuine Health & Safety risk with regards to significant injury to players and officials alike'.

The council spokesperson continued: "It has become apparent that, it is no longer sustainable to use the pitch for both sports and events, as there is insufficient time between the two to carry out the full remedial works required to bring the surface back into playable standard."

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“It has now dropped below the required safety standards for organised competitive sports, as set out by a number of bodies including the Football Association and STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute).”

Last year, the football season finished two weeks early to allow pitch work to be carried out before events took place on the Leys.

However, the benefits of this work were undone once the event season started.

The issue with Pitch One was highlighted in a report by STRI two years ago.

The report recommended that the site was ‘longer used for natural sports pitches as it presents a genuine Health & Safety risk with regards to significant injury to players and officials alike’.

Mrs Inness said: “It is no longer sustainable to use the pitch for both sports and events, as there is insufficient time between the two to carry out the full remedial works required to bring the surface back into playable standard.”

The Leys had been home to Spartan Rangers FC for over 40 years, but in September, the club moved to the artificial turf pitches in the town.

The club’s chairman, Iain Harris, said: “We were disappointed we had to move away from The Leys but the latest developments are that we’ll be playing on a pitch which is suitable for our needs.”

The council looked at buying boarding to hold events over the top of the pitch, but this would cost in excess of £100,000.

After discussion with various groups who use the pitch, councillors have now taken the decision to dedicate Pitch One to events only.

The council said it remains committed to supporting local, grassroots sports.

Replacement sport sites have therefore been identified, which the council says are of an 'arguably higher and more modern standard'.

The side of The Leys where the Coffee Shed is will be used almost solely for sports, with the exception of long-standing traditions, such as Witney Carnival and Witney Feast.