Hadleigh town council has put plans to build a 3G pitch at Layham Road Sports Ground on hold after a series of concerns over its feasibility.

However, it has been recommended that the council focuses on rebuilding the pavilion that was gutted by fire in June, 2020.

In a report to councillors, which will be discussed at a full council meeting on Thursday, projects officer Alicja Barnes, claimed the Football Foundation's inability to provide a timescale for the completion of a framework delivery plan, is the reason behind halting the scheme.

Hadleigh project officer Alicja Barnes

Ms Barnes added: "Currently, there is nothing further to progress regarding the proposition of an artificial pitch at Layham Road Sports Ground. There will be no further work on this until the Football Foundation confirm they will look to progress to stage 2 of the Framework, as yet at an indeterminable time in the future.

"Consequently, the artificial pitch installation element of the project is now held in abeyance until further notice."

The report stated that Hadleigh council had spent £850 on exploring the 3G pitch option to date, although it is understood that does not include officers' time and wages, but no further costs are expected.

Although there have been concerns over the cost of a new pavilion, with Hadleigh United treasurer and town councillor Rolf Beggerow, telling councillors they want:

'a sports pavilion not a palace' after being quoted £2,3million.

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The designs are already drafted and have been passed by the council so the next stage is to agree the plans to be presented to Babergh as a planning application for permission to go ahead.

A number of steps are still to be undertaken by council officers including:

1 – Business plan for funding and rebuild of the pavilion only

2 – Work with architects to finalise the plans – which also need to be passed by the FF/FA/RFU to formally validate that they meet their layout regulations and due to being part of the FF Framework and grant funding implications

3 – Work with architects and consultants regarding specifications for build materials and ESG considerations

4 – Apply for planning permission for the pavilion build only

5 – Funding applications for the pavilion

6 – Tender for contractors for the pavilion

7 – Pavilion build process.