Politicians are in danger of throwing away a chance to help young people in Borehamwood according to a town businessman.

Danny Hunter, the chairman of Boreham Wood Football Club, is worried that his planning application for a new synthetic football pitch in Meadow Park could be refused, leaving a host of youth football clubs without training facilities.

He wants to build a new all-weather pitch, four times bigger than the existing one, with floodlights. He has already offered to make it available to Borehamwood's schools and small football clubs an offer that has been gratefully accepted.

But Hertsmere Borough Council's planning officers have told borough politicians that the scheme should be rejected, because they think it would take up too much of the park.

"People know that I am trying so hard to do something for this community. It would be a state-of-the-art facility, and we would make it available for schools and clubs," said Mr Hunter.

"The people who make the decision on this have got to understand the benefits for the area," he said, adding that the pitch would help to keep young people off the streets at night, and away from drink and drugs.

"When I walked into the club it didn't have a youth section, but I've invested £17,000 in the youth section for the next season."

Mr Hunter is negotiating with the Football Foundation, which may provide 64 per cent of the funding, with the rest coming from the private sector. He said the area of park which would be lost was currently waterlogged and of no use.

Ian lucas, the headteacher at Hertswood School, agreed it would be a shame if the new pitch were not built, as his pupils, and Borehamwood as a whole, would benefit from it.

"Anything that can keep young people occupied would be an asset to the town."

Mr Hunter has also gained the support of more than 300 Borehamwood residents and five primary schools. The decision will be made at the July 4 meeting of Elstree and Borehamwood's Planning Committee.

June 19, 2002 14:00