Developer's sport promise

A DEVELOPER has confirmed that he wants to build houses on a piece of land in Worle - but is stressing that he is willing to put some cash towards new sports facilities in return.Last week the Weston & Somerset Mercury revealed how the authority's councillors had agreed that officers could enter into negotiations to sell the site, off Midhaven Rise and Queens Way, to Mead Realisations Ltd.The money raised from the sale of the land, currently leased to Worle Junior Football Club, would help pay for sports facilities such as a pavilion and soccer pitches on land off Ebdon Road.This week managing director Derek Mead told the Mercury he would want to build on the land off Queens WayHe said: "I think it is very exciting and means, with the help of the Football Foundation charity, we will be able to create better facilities."They would hopefully be used for six-a-side football and by groups like scouts and army cadets."It would be a place where youngsters could use up their energy instead of hanging around on street corners."We have already built changing rooms at a cost of £40,000 but we would like to put even more towards it." The Queens Way land was previously earmarked as a potential school site but these plans have been dropped and North Somerset Council does not feel it is a good site for new sporting facilities.The site off Ebdon Road, which is just over 15 acres, is already owned by a Derek Mead firm and currently has planning consent for a sports pavilion and sports pitches.Mead Realisations has entered into negotiations with Worle Junior Football Club over granting it a lease to enable it to relocate to the Ebdon Road site.Talks between the firm and the council will now be entered into and the issue will be brought back to North Somerset's full council and executive meetings for further discussion at a later date.* Tell us what you think of the plans by emailing us at newsdesk@thewestonmercury.co.uk