CHIPPENHAM Town Council could be seeking alternative sites for new playing fields if negotiations with Hither Farm owner, Wiltshire County Council, fall through.
North Wiltshire District Council, which has agreed to contribute £491,000 towards the playing field project, decided at a meeting on Monday, July 3, to ask the town council to look at other sites if necessary.
The Hither Farm site is less than 30 acres and the area could be reduced after the investigation of possible archaeological finds.
Coun Allnatt wanted the county council to reduce the price it was charging for the land to less than the market rate, because the sports field would be considered a contribution to its own Youth and Community Service.
The estimated cost of converting the farmland is £500,000, excluding the purchase price, so although voluntary groups could find £50,000 and the town council is committing £200,000, the project is still short of funds.
The town council will be asked to report on alternative sites.
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