Local MP David Mundell has offered his support to parents trying to save their local football pitch.
Villagers in Crawford were shocked when they discovered, by accident, that the local playing fields were up for sale.
A local resident, whilst checking South Lanarkshire Council’s website, discovered that the football pitch belonged to the housing department, had planning permission for housing, and had been up for sale for 3 years, although it was not being actively been marketed.
This week the Clydesdale MP David Mundell said he had offered to do what he could to ensure the village retained a playing field.
“For a small village like Crawford their playing field is important, a vital focal point. They have their gala day on the pitch and it is used for keep fit classes. Local children also use it for football and other community use, and while there is a park in the village they would have to travel somewhere else to play football if it was taken away,” he said.
“Nowadays the question of child obesity and lack of exercise is very much to the fore, and that is why playing fields such as this one in Crawford are important. I feel it is essential communities, especially small rural ones such as Crawford, should have recreational facilities which is why I am trying to find a way to resolve this issue,” said the MP who has already written to South Lanarkshire asking for further information.