Who is greener?

The Football Foundation, funded by the F.A. and the Government, continue to promote 3G football turf pitches of artificial grass with microplastic infill. The European Commission have recently recommended a ban on these. The current Prime Minister signed a Conservative Environment pledge to restore nature by tackling plastic waste.

Our local Hadleigh Town Council, abetted by Babergh District Council, recently voted to continue with the 3G artificial grass project for the Layham Road Sports Ground. A simple Environment Agency review could identify that part of the 13 acre site is on a floodplain abutting the River Brett. Surely this is preferable to a desktop study followed by an engineer's report lasting c12 weeks, as suggested in the Draft Business Plan, When floodwaters subside millions of microplastic balls are likely to pollute the river, damaging the ecosystem.

Environmentally concerned Councillors and residents have raised objections to using the 3G artificial grass. Yet the project continues when more eco-friendly alternatives are available. Furthermore, the funding gap, including sponsors yet to be explored, exceeds £300,000. What will happen to the HTC Council Tax if this amount needs to be borrowed?

Just how green is the Government, Babergh District Council and Hadleigh Town Council?

A concerned Hadleigh resident