Sir - Regarding the upcoming City Council Election and the issue of the plans to return Worcester City Football Club to a new community sporting hub and Football Ground on land at Perdiswell which is one of the issues that I am running on for the seat in St Stephen Ward.

The land at Perdiswell is designated for sporting use but is unused thanks mainly to the drainage work that was incorrectly carried out several years ago, rendering what used to be a superb set of football and sports pitches totally redundant.

With the proposed community sporting hub working alongside the proposed new swimming pool and refurbished sports centre, there is a wonderful opportunity for a first class sports facility which I have nothing but praise for all working towards this goal.

The proposal is for a non-league football ground and contrary to what many people have been told locally the developed area will be approximately 15% of the total area. Perdiswell is not going to be fenced off (as it was up until the Sports Centre was built).

Indeed, the restoration of the rest of the site to its former condition will bring back into use large parts of the site which are, at the moment, totally unsuitable for anything, be it walking, general recreation or playing sport.

The concerns of the local residents, who are against the plans have been blown out of proportion by several parties.

Whilst door knocking around the area immediately around Perdiswell over the last couple of weekends - I was lead to believe by the anti-stadium side that I would meet blanket rejection and criticism to the plans tabled. In fact I found the exact opposite.

There is considerable support with many stating that the site is an eyesore, a public health risk and only used by a few dozen people, many of whom drive to the site. Many of the people we spoke to do not ever use the site due to its poor state.

Krister Halvorsen

Independent Candidate

St Stephen Ward