U’s chief: Sports field revamp will go ahead regardless of plan row

Club chairman Robbie Cowling said his ongoing revamp of the Warriors Rest sports field was completely independent of moves to create a base for the U’s in Grange Road.

A letter submitted to Colchester Council by Mr Cowling’s advisers said the scheme could not proceed “in the way envisaged” unless the training ground plans were approved.

But Mr Cowling said this did not mean one project was dependent on the other.

He said: “It is true our planning application details the benefits of moving the large community pitch from Warriors Rest to the new proposed site at Grange Road.

“In so doing, it will open up the Warriors Rest site for more youth pitches and provides the community with more facilities at the site.

“I make no promises to provide £350,000 funding at the Warriors site, even if Colchester United FC gets the planning permission it seeks, nor do I say that I will not continue to fund this site if the club fails to achieve the planning application it seeks.”

Mr Cowling stressed he would not use try to use his community activities to induce the authorities to back his commercial ventures.

“Over the years I have spent a six-figure sum on community projects in Tiptree alone and many tens of thousands of pounds on community projects in the Colchester area and beyond,” he said.

Mr Cowling estimates he has already spent about £150,000 on improving facilities at Warriors Rest and is committed to paying £50,000 for pitches to be relaid.

He wants to replace the ageing clubhouse at the site but said he was unable to give firm guarantees.

There is opposition to the U’s proposed training ground from some Tiptree residents as the club have expressed a desire to help pay for it by building about 185 houses on nearby land.

Youth football teams have backed the Warriors Rest scheme.

The Tiptree Minors, Tiptree Heath and Tiptree Heath Youth teams will all play there and merge to become one club, known as Tiptree Jobserve.