RESIDENTS in Oldswinford are calling for answers from the principal of King Edward's VI College over why a community plan for a troublesome playing field has been rejected.

Members of a community group submitted a plan to the college that they believe would solve parking issues around The Green Fields, belonging to King Ed's, and turn the field into a valuable community space - honouring a £385,000 grant from the Football Association given to improve facilities on the Swinford Road site.

However - just as the deal was about to be sealed KE principal Remley Mann told the group the college was at a major cross roads regarding possible future developments and could not commit to such an extensive community venture at this time.

But Richard Deakin, of the Stourbridge Community Group, said: "We have approached King Ed's and no satisfactory reason has been given as to why this project is not going ahead. The land was provided to King Edward's at nil cost for the benefit of the local community. It is local and national policy that green fields such as these need to be used. This is why the substantial FA grant was made in the first place."

He believes the FA may want the £385,000 grant paid back "because the grounds are not being used for their intended purpose" but the college says this is incorrect.

Mr Deakin added: "This proposal would provide an income stream for the college. It would relieve car parking problems in Swinford Road and Love Lane - and 100 to 150 spaces would be created that would be available to nearby schools at key times during the day. Local children would be engaged in sporting activities and on site facilities would be available to bring the community together.

“It would be a massive benefit to the whole Stourbridge area."

He said the group, together with representatives from local football clubs, had spent more than 12 months working up a business plan for the site to turn it into a community hub and he added: "We want to know why she's turned us down."

Remley Mann, principal at King Edward VI College, said the plan "presented a well-thought out vision to promote football in the community" but she added: "We cannot commit to such an extensive community venture at this point in time.

"Due to recent strategic options under consideration for the future of the college, the Board of Governors and the Foundation Trustees have concluded it is not possible to commit to any long-term plan for the facility.

"Our decision to withdraw from the proposed project was most certainly not taken lightly. King Edward VI College has carefully considered various strategic options and has taken the decision to reign in against a number of commercial initiatives that we had been exploring in order to focus solely upon the core business of the college.

"Our focus is on delivering the highest quality learning experience for our students.

"We have no intention of furthering any business or commercial opportunities which may have been linked to the site. We have no plans to sell the land.

"Our plan is to utilise The Green Fields sports facility more actively and appropriately for the benefit of the college itself and to manage the site with best economy.

"As such we will not be in any position to expand upon the existing car park facilities at the site; although with restricted usage of the facility we do not anticipate there will be a need for parking on the roads in the surrounding area."

She added: "I understand and appreciate local residents’ concerns over the use of the fields and the negative impact of some aspects of past usage by community groups, particularly with respect to the problems caused by parking. It is my strong desire to establish and maintain a positive relationship with residents within the vicinity of The Green Fields.

"I confirm my commitment to ensure that current and future usage of the facility will not cause further distress to residents."

She stressed the college was in a "financially sound" position "sustainable for the long-term" but declined to comment further on why it had backed out of supporting the project.