IT would seem that with the arrival on the gate of an application for a premises licence by two-week-old limited company Ilminster Sports Club to provide entertainment and serve alcohol at the controversial Brittens Field as yet un-built building, very many questions remain that the community of Ilminster needs answering. These are vital issues for townspeople with an election coming up.

I have therefore re-submitted a Freedom of Information request to find out what has been happening, what decisions have been taken, what legal opinion supports a business venture, an alcohol facility, a large car park and possible 6ft fence around the football pitch as Freddie Britten gifted an open space recreational area for the benefit of the people of Ilminster.

I am also very concerned at the financial arrangements that may affect council tax payers for decades, of which we have no clarity at all. I also want to know how council tax payers will be compensated for their loss of the open space amenity.

When I receive my reply to my 12 questions I will happily pass them to anyone interested in this – at least to me – travesty.

1 – The name of the originator of the written legal opinion stating that the proposed building in Brittens Field could be permitted within the benefactor’s wishes of an ‘open space recreational area for the people of Ilminster’ provided such building is of a recreational use.

2 – The written legal opinion that a large car park – far larger than the one detailed in the consultation exercise – is in any way ‘open space recreational area’.

3 – The written legal opinion that a building that has within it a business with a limited company running a business as an entertainments venue and licensed club and bar can be detailed as ‘open space recreational area for the people of Ilminster’.

4 – The written legal opinion that the eventual intention to enclose the open space recreational area of a football pitch with a solid fence/wall will not contravene detailing the ‘open space recreational area for the people of Ilminster’.

5 – In the interests of the Ilminster community tell me who will own the property?

6 – Who will own the land footprint of the building, the building itself, the car park and enclosable pitch – or has part been sold or legally transferred?

7 – What costs this project has already been to the Ilminster Town and South Somerset District Council from consultation to now?

8 – What element of the whole will be rented or leased by and to whom?

9 – In the absence of the frequently requested business plan for this building, who will be responsible for all the utilities, maintenance, insurance etc of building, land and car park?

10 – How is the Ilminster community to be compensated for its loss of the ‘open space amenity’?

11 – The Ilminster community, including, but not exclusively the 1,000 petitioners, who have for years been grateful for the wonderful open space that we are seemingly to lose, and whose views were disregarded in such a cavalier and questionable manner, seek assurance from the town council that the town will not be saddled with the ongoing costs of this venture and that council tax payers will never in any eventuality whatsoever bear any further cost in this venture now or in the future even if the football club, Ilminster Sports Club Ltd or other franchisees were to fail financially.

12 – What financial agreements, loans, grants and leases has this town council entered into regarding this project – have any long term agreements to the financial cost to the town been arranged, especially including the 1,000-plus people whose views were disregarded.

  • DANICE JACKSON Winterhay Lane, Ilminster