FOLLOWING receipt of the local Conservative spring newsletter through my letter box on February 20, 2016, I was somewhat surprised to read that conservative controlled Cherwell District Council were congratulating themselves on having initiated the start of the second phase of the Bicester Sports Village.

The newsletter then went on to state that an athletics track, 3G all-weather playing surface and changing rooms were all to be part of phase two of the development. The Conservatives know that this is complete nonsense as funding is limited, with phase two having funding for a changing room only. The 3G playing surface and athletics facility were originally in the design for phase three, however no funding has ever been obtained.

Having read this, I tracked down the gentleman who was posting the newsletters through the doors and who happened to be a Conservative candidate for the local elections in May. On raising my concerns as to the complete inaccuracies of the claims made in the newsletter I am afraid to say that the prospective councillor was at a complete loss and clearly had no idea as to what was happening with the Bicester Sports Village.

The Conservative members of the council, I would suggest, know that the claims within the newsletter are completely false. Cherwell District Council’s own documents show that Phase two covers the construction of a sports pavilion and no more. Phase three of the development containing 3G pitches and athletics facilities is at best a ‘wish list’ with no funding available.

As a resident of the town, I would like to know why Bicester Conservatives are providing false information, along with false hopes that Bicester will obtain the facilities it so clearly needs and is crying out for, yet unfortunately will not get? I ask the Conservative members of Cherwell District Council, please have the good grace and courage to stand up and tell the electorate of Bicester the truth. My challenge to them is to either inform the residents of Bicester of an opening date for these magnificent facilities or admit that they do not have full funding for the facilities promised.

It pains me to say, the truth is that the Bicester Sports Village is a myth, it will simply be a grass area, with a Tarmac path around the perimeter and an overpriced and underused changing room which is yet to be constructed.

M WELBY
Fair Close
Bicester