As is now widely known in Stock, some of the six plots that form the previous football ground in Mill Lane have been pursued by travellers to purchase.
Stock Parish Council has been appealing for donations by way of promissory notes to raise £500,000 for the purchase the six plots and return them for the use of sports and leisure.
Any surplus funds would go toward the construction of a sports pavilion on the site.
The purchases of the plots would be undertaken through a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which has been set up, but waiting for registration.
The use of the site would be for football, cricket, padel, plus indoor leisure activities. This would be for perpetuity.
There have been reports of further activity by travellers seeking to purchase neighbouring land to Stock, though this has not been confirmed.
However the news of retrospective planning being submitted by travellers for the site at Willow Green in Felsted, and the relaxation of planning regarding such applications announced by the Government last week, should focus the minds to the potential problems we are faced with in in Stock.
A third leaflet is being delivered this week by Stock Parish Council which outlines the concern, the vision, and the appeal.
The Parish Council is seeking further donations, so please make a donation for whatever you can afford to help the Council achieve its vision.
The details are on the leaflet or you can download the promissory note from the Stock Parish Council website.
Should the council not reach the target required, all promissory notes will be cancelled and any funds received refunded.
Paul Fenwick
Chair to Stock Parish Council
