THE POSSIBILITY of an artificial turf pitch being constructed in Dursley could be revived more than five years after it was last considered.

At Tuesday's meeting of Dursley Town Council it was revealed that the issue had been brought up by Rednock School, although it was still in its very early stages.

Chairman of the council's recreation and gardens committee Cllr Joyce Broomhall explained that the school was interested in having the facility constructed on the Recreation Ground.

In the proposals of five and a half years ago it was suggested that the facility would be built at the town centre end of the field.

Now though it is thought that Rednock would like any such facility to be sited at the other end of the field.

Such a plan would require the relocation of the main football pitch, which is used by Dursley Town FC in the Northern Senior League.

The club has not been contacted as yet, principally because there will be nothing to contact them about until Rednock put forward a set of plans and costings.

Cllr Broomhall said: "The school would like the artificial pitch at their end because it would be more convenient to them. However, nothing has been decided yet - I don't want to alarm the football club in any way.

"The football club would have to be catered for first. If this project went ahead I would want to see the new grass pitches in place before work was started on the artificial pitch."

While the proposal is at too early a stage to be formally backed or opposed by interested parties, it is thought that the facility would be well received.

Cllr Geoff Wheeler recalled that all the sports clubs that were contacted about the proposal when it was last discussed were in favour of it, with the football club welcoming what would have been a high quality training facility.

The possibility of an artificial pitch in the town was also welcomed by deputy mayor Cllr Jane Ball, who has been involved with various ladies sports teams in the area, especially if it was big enough to contain a full sized hockey pitch.

Cllr Ball said: "I think an artificial pitch will be a major asset to the town. We could give a proper home to Dursley Ladies Hockey Club who have to play their matches in Cirencester."

Councillors will now wait for Rednock to put forward a proper plan before deciding on whether they can support the project.