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PONTYPOOL, South Wales, 14th May 2019 – Pontypool RFC is delighted to confirm that Torfaen County Borough Council’s Cabinet committee has determined that a long-term lease can be issued to the club, following the conclusion of the Playing Fields Regulations process later this year.
Today’s historic Cabinet committee outcome means that there are just three remaining components to satisfy in order to fully complete the Playing Fields Regulations process. These include:
1.Allowing for a statutory period of 10 days following Cabinet’s Decision (reached today), before the decision can be advertised.
2.Advertising the Decision (for 2 weeks in the media plus 6 further weeks publicly).
3.Finalise lease terms and complete the lease once a period of at least 12 weeks has elapsed since the Decision is first published.
Torfaen County Borough Council’s Cabinet committee also authorised that the negotiating and completion of the of the lease be delegated to the local authority’s Assistant Chief Executive, Resources (lead for assets) and the Chief Officer, Neighbourhoods, Planning and Public Protection (lead for sports pitches/property) in consultation with the Deputy Leader.
The successful implementation of these items will ensure that Pontypool RFC’s long-term future at Pontypool Park will be secured and will allow for works to commence on site - as per the specifications outlined in the club’s recently approved planning application - towards the latter stages of 2019.
Pontypool RFC will continue to keep supporters fully informed of developments as this process nears its conclusion and we thank you for your continued backing and support.
Comment from Pontypool RFC Chief Executive Officer, Ben Jeffreys:
“The decision taken by Torfaen Council’s Cabinet committee today is an exceptionally positive development and is one that starts to give tangible hope that Pontypool RFC will be able to call Pontypool Park its home for many decades to come.
“A tremendous amount of progress has been made over the previous six months and in that time, we have addressed the historical covenant, obtained planning permission to make our desired improvements to the ground and we are now close to completing the Playing Field Regulations process.
“We are looking forward to the opportunity to negotiate the finer details of the lease with the local authority when the appropriate time comes, and I am hopeful that we can finally deliver on our promise to make Pontypool Park the beacon of the town once more.”
Comment from Leader of Torfaen County Borough Council, Cllr Anthony Hunt:
“This lease agreement secures a positive future for park users, the club and the town.
“The council made a commitment to work positively with Pontypool RFC to secure their future in Pontypool Park. This approval to grant a long term lease demonstrates this commitment is being delivered on. Significant work has been undertaken to ensure the council has met all its statutory, legal and community obligations.
“I welcome the significant commitment of Pontypool RFC to invest, to improve the facilities and achieve their aspirations in the park. The contributions received during the consultation have helped secure the interests of both the club and the community.”
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Pontypool RFC, Pontypool Park, Pontypool, South Wales, NP4 8AT
