West Berkshire Council set to pay £220k for abandoned sports hub

An artist's impression has been produced of the proposed "world class" 3G pitch and clubhouse

A council has spent nearly £220,000 on a sports ground project which is set to be discontinued, it has emerged.

A report to West Berkshire Council's executive committee recommends ending the £4m Newbury Sports Hub plan.

The U-turn is in line with a strategy created by the new Liberal Democrat administration and the changing financial environment, the council report says.

The authority is due to make a decision at a meeting on Thursday.

The hub - comprising a clubhouse and "world class" artificial pitch - was approved by the Conservatives before they lost control of the council in May's local elections.

In June, Liberal Democrat councillor Erik Pattenden told a scrutiny commission meeting: "The Lib Dems didn't think that this was the right thing in the right place, whilst we recognise that there was a serious shortfall in playing pitches across west Berks."

Thursday's report says the hub's estimated pre-construction and legal costs have so far amounted to between £214,000 and £220,000.

It says 59 teams currently travel to sports pitches outside west Berkshire.

The Liberal Democrats are proposing to hire consultants to advise on options for pitches in the area.

Newbury Rugby Club, which stood to make £41,000 a year in rent by hosting the hub, said it would be looking for new income.

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