"Gravely concerned" and "disappointed" is the reaction of four Claines councillors to the approval of an artificial grass pitch.
The proposed installation of a 3G artificial grass pitch at Perdiswell Leisure Centre was approved this week - however, not everyone is happy about this.
Cllr Sarah Murray, Cllr Mel Allcott, Cllr Jessie Jagger, and Cllr Karen Lawrance have said the pitch is inadequate because of the detrimental effects having a plastic surface can have on the environment.
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Worcester City Council had agreed to spend £800,000 on the new all-weather 3G pitch at Perdiswell Leisure Centre which is hoped to improve the city's sporting facilities.
Currently, the city’s football teams are having to use other pitches across the county.
Cllr Lawrance said: "The Liberal Democrats are committed to promoting sports and investing in all-weather football pitches, but we cannot ignore the environmental consequences.
"We believe the proposed artificial grass pitch falls short of meeting necessary environmental standards.
"The current mitigation strategies do not go far enough."
All four Claines councillors have said the plan can pose a significant threat to wildlife, marine habitats, and human health because of the microplastics the artificial grass pitch could present.
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A review of Worcester’s sports facilities highlighted that the city lacked artificial pitches.
It is hoped the Football Foundation - the charity in charge of handing out government and FA money to grassroots football and is expected to agree to fund 80 per cent of Worcester’s much-needed 3G pitch - will help support the city's mission to improve its sporting facilities.
Currently, half of the city's teams have to travel to Malvern, Droitwich and Pershore during the week and then play games in Worcester at the weekend because of the lack of facilities.
A Worcester City Council spokesperson said: “The decision to go ahead with the new Perdiswell 3G pitch was taken by the Communities Committee on June 7 and then endorsed by the full Council at its meeting on July 11.”
The council expects the new pitch to be open by October 2024.
Artificial turf can be repurposed or recycled into other products.
After recycling, old artificial grass may be used for anything from school bags to dog bowls or even as topdressing on natural grass.
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