College principal vows talks over access road in playing fields row
A college principal has vowed to broker talks with campaigners protesting over plans to build a new access road into nearby playing fields.
Dozens of objections were lodged against plans by King Edward VI College, in Stourbridge, to alter access to fields off Love Lane, Oldswinford.
Campaigners have formed an action group after claiming college officials have yet to hold talks over the range of concerns raised.
But college principal Remley Mann says officials had made efforts to reach campaigners and were happy to hold a round of talks with residents.
Action group member Richard Deakin, aged 72, said he had delivered letters into the college in a bid to highlight concerns raised from residents.
He said: "We want the college to sit down and have a meeting with us so that we can discuss these and get over our views."
Campaigners fear the planned road could cause traffic chaos, congestion and parking problems if given the green light.
Miss Mann said in response: "Whilst we have received messages of support for these proposals from many of our neighbours in the area, we are also aware of the concerns raised by other residents.
"We continue to meet with the representatives of this group with a view to addressing these concerns.
"The Foundation Trustees of King Edward VI College, who are the freeholders of The Green Fields, extended an invitation to residents in their letter dated January 11 to meet with Jeff Caseley, College Site Manager, to listen to their concerns and to keep them informed of the progress of the planning application.
"To date neither Mr Caseley nor I have received a request to meet with residents. We would be happy to do so at a mutually convenient time.
"We are keenly aware of the national shortage of facilities to foster sport and we consider that we have a duty to see that the facility at The Green Fields is not under-utilised.
"However, it is also a priority that we maintain positive relations with the residents in the vicinity of The Green Fields.
"To this end, we would be happy to meet with them to discuss the full range of concerns they may have."
A decision over the planning application will be made in the coming weeks.
Teams from Stourbridge Football Club and Stourbridge Cricket Club use the fields for training and matches.
A new £400,000 pavilion was created on the fields recently giving teams improved changing rooms and facilities.
