Overgrown land around 3G football pitch opened by Danny Gabbidon, local resident complains

LAND around a 3G football pitch opened by former Wales star Danny Gabbidon is overgrown and “scattered” with dogs’ mess, according to a local resident. 
Leslie Gwilym raised his complaint by tabling a public question at a council meeting. In response a council cabinet member said the authority has met its landscaping obligations when it was granted planning permission for the 3G pitch in July 2024. 
Former Cardiff City and Wales defender Mr Gabbidon opened the pitch, on land near Llantarnam Community Primary School in Cwmbran, in July last year.
It was developed on land that was part of the former Llantarnam Comprehensive which Mr Gabbidon attended. Some local residents and environmental groups had objected to the 3G pitch due to the loss of the wildlife habitat that had developed on the former playing field.
Mr Gwilym’s question, which raised complaints about the maintenance of the land around the caged artificial pitch and why proposed landscaping works hadn’t been carried out, was read at Torfaen Borough Council’s September meeting. 
He had stated: “Although some grass cutting has been done recently to one side outside of the 3G pitch the other three sides are just a horrible mess, completely overgrown with a scattering of dog’s mess thrown in.” 
Mr Gwilym said the original planning application, submitted on the council’s behalf, had proposed a greater amount of landscaping, including new paths, and sustainable drainage known as SuDs. 
“The planning proposal submitted by TIR Collective on behalf of Torfaen council stated ‘the landscaping includes screen planting at the northern part of the 3G pitch, SuDS, informal paths, native planting, informal footpath routes, boulders and logs for informal play opportunities, an orchard and species-rich grass proposals to enhance biodiversity’. These landscaped areas would give local residents much needed green space for exercise and recreational activities.” 
He had asked why the work hadn’t been completed and said the council should explain why if it isn’t to be carried out. 
Labour’s Councillor Richard Clark said the education department is responsible for the 3G pitch, and the landscaping works Mr Gwilym referred to formed part of a pre-application consultation from 2023 rather than the scheme approved by the planning committee the following year. 
He also said grass had been left to grow around the SuDs area while the landscaping and planting is still being monitored with some shrubs needing to be replaced and trees to be planted.  
Cllr Clark said: “I’m happy for Mr Gwilym to discuss further with officers on any further points he wants to raise.” 
Mr Gwilym had also claimed the council had “ample funding” to complete the originally proposed landscaping. Under the planning permission for 200 homes, that now form James Prosser Way, the council had required the developers provide two 3G pitches but a failure in the drafting of the legal agreement meant only a £911,000 contribution was provided. 
In October 2022 the council said that wouldn’t cover the cost of providing two pitches and it would still have to find additional funding for only one pitch. 
Mr Gwilym didn’t attend the meeting at Torfaen Civic Centre in Pontypool and his question was read by presiding member Cllr Rose Seabourne.  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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