LIBERAL Democrat councillors in Trowbridge have hit back at calls from Dr Andrew Murrison MP and Conservative councillors to cancel the Doric Park all-weather sports pitch and pavilion.

In a joint statement, councillors Stewart Palmen, Mel Jacob, Stephen Cooper and David Vigar – who all serve on the Doric Park Working Group – have defended their reasons for pursuing the £7.5 million project and a £3.9m loan application to help pay for it.

Yesterday, two Conservative Wiltshire and town councillors, Antonio Piazza and Edward Kirk, called for the project to be cancelled because of fears over rising inflation and interest rates and a dramatic rise in construction costs.

They also fear that the scheme will make a loss if users do not provide sufficient income to help meet repayments of more than £179,000 if the government approves the town council's loan application.

The LibDem councillors said: “What a shame that Trowbridge’s MP and Conservative councillors want to scrap an all-weather pitch that the town’s hundreds of footballers and rugby players need so much.

“Sports clubs have been crying out for this facility. Wiltshire College wants to use it for sports courses and several local clubs plan to use it for a range of teams - boys, girls, men and women.

“There are some risks from inflation and interest rates but they are being exaggerated by Councillors Piazza and Kirk in a concerted effort to torpedo the project.

“The reality is that we are still waiting for the outcome of our application to the government for a £3.9m loan. Until we know whether this has been agreed we cannot fix the final price with the contractor who will build the pitch and pavilion. But once that price is fixed it will stay fixed unless the specification changes so it cannot escalate during construction. 

“Interest rates on the loan may rise but when each tranche of the loan is drawn down the rate will also be fixed. There is huge demand for the facility. The diary is already almost full for the first two years and the current business plan envisages the project breaking even over the long term.

“If and when the loan is agreed, the entire financial package and business plan will be published and put to the vote in the council. This will include the loan repayments, other expenses, the expected income, the cost of construction and the agreements with Trowbridge Rugby Club (which adjoins the site), Wiltshire College and other customers.

“That will be the logical time for councillors to scrutinise and question the costs – and we will all have the opportunity to vote for or against the project.

“We very much hope that the financial plan we still be affordable at that stage, but we are aware of our responsibilities and will only proceed if the business plan is sound.

“However, holding a special meeting before the final financial plans are drafted is totally unnecessary. It is another example of political game-playing by Cllr Piazza and we are surprised to see Andrew Murrison stooping to the same level.

“This follows a series of leaks by Cllr Piazza, including those of draft agreements with the Rugby Club and Trowbridge College.

"Fortunately, both partners have stayed on board but Cllr Piazza’s irresponsible and disrespectful behaviour has risked undoing the entire project and jeopardising sporting opportunities for hundreds of local footballers and rugby players.

"We stand with those sports people and, providing the financial plan is sound, we will work to make this project a reality and a great facility for Trowbridge’s sporting community.”