WE would like to reply to statements made in last week's Evesham Journal regarding Evesham United Football Clubs (EUFC) relocation and our Newsletter No 3.

The reasons for opposition to this application as stated in last weeks Evesham Journal, are those from individual residents, and they are not contained in any RAGE newsletter.

To answer Mr Hegarty's statement, EUFC stated their present Brownfield site could be brought up to the required standard at a cost of £30,000 (Evesham Journal dated 29/03/01), a fraction of the cost that this contentious proposed application will be. Why didn't Wychavon District Council (WDC) insist that this was their first option before even considering a Greenfield site?

Mr Powell EUFC agent, stated in a letter to Mr Hegarty of 02/08/00 regarding the Abattoir site, "That it was the overall global costing with which the club could be faced if they undertook to relocate to this site" This was his prime concern. He then goes on to say "I am totally convinced that this is the wrong site for EUFC." Do Environmental issues take second place to relocation costs?

Mr Hegarty's statements in a report issued by the council quite clearly show his preferences as Head of Planning. Quote "I am aware that site number four may be controversial but in SUSTAINABILITY TERMS and in terms of directing new development to within the built up area, it should be considered in some depth." He continues "There are limited planning grounds to justify a need to relocate the club outside of the defined built up area." His conclusion was "Having identified MY preferred short list of three sites I am of the view that either site four or nine have more merit than site five. The latter is the clubs preference." Unquote site four being the Abattoir, site nine Broadway Road and site five Cheltenham Road!! We leave your readers to draw their own conclusions.

The reason Mr Hegarty submitted their application to the Local Government Office, was because it was a development outside the Local Plan and he was legally obligated to do so. This same office have never said that they disagree with our views, but that it was not of sufficient national importance!

With respect to the Local Ombudsman, the case is still ongoing.

Wychavon District Council have now been shown HUNDREDS of RED CARDS, it is now time for this application to leave the field.

Our position as regards a "vendetta" as stated by Mr J Powell, has been discussed in person with both Mr J Cockerton and Mr J Powell. We made it quite clear that our opposition is on environmental issues only.

K TAYLOR (Ruralists Against Green Erosion. RAGE), Evesham.