WASHINGTON CONSERVATIVES WELCOME LABOUR U-TURN ON SOUTHERN AREA PLAYING FIELDS SITE
Washington United FC, using their own funds together with private investment, propose to develop the Southern Area Playing Fields site into a multi-sport site, bringing together football, rugby, athletics and other sports, producing prospective plans and video walk through to show how the site could be used.
Sunderland Conservatives alternative budget earlier this year proposed to asset transfer the Southern Area Playing Fields to a charitable trust being established by Washington United FC. This proposal was voted against by all Sunderland Labour Councillors including Cllr Graeme Miller and Cllr Louise Farthing, whose Washington South ward the site is situated.
Washington South Conservative candidate Peter Noble commented
"The concept of a Washington Sports Village has attracted massive public support which undoubtedly has prompted a u-turn from the Labour ran Council. Hopefully the Council will now start to build bridges with Washington United FC to realise the potential of the site as a community sports facility."
Councillor Paul Donaghy of Washington South ward commented
"The Sunderland Labour party have spent a lot of time and effort attempting to discredit Washington United FC when it comes to the plans for Southern Area playing fields. It is clear to see Labour wanted to use this land to build more housing on however the club and residents rightly fought against that. Washington United are the rightful heirs to Southern Area playing fields; they have a well thought out plan in place for a great multi sports site which will benefit the residents of Washington".
