CASH intended to help with pitches in Ongar should instead be used in Waltham Abbey, the district council's cabinet has agreed.

Epping Forest District Council had set aside £527,000 for new facilities at Ongar Leisure Centre, but council officers have said that is no longer a priority as new facilities have recently been constructed at next door Brentwood, and grants to complete that scheme will no longer be forthcoming.

Instead the money will now be spent on creating a full-size all-weather pitch at Town Mead Recreation Ground, in Waltham Abbey.

Ongar district councillor Derek Jacobs said: “Obviously Ongar's loss is Waltham Abbey's gain. I accept astro turf pitches have been erected at Brentwood and Shenfield. It's a long way from Ongar. We have deprived communities in Shelley as well as Waltham Abbey.”

Waltham Abbey councillor Syd Stavrou said: “It would be very welcome to have a facility in Waltham Abbey. Our grass pitches are in poor condition because they're over used.”

The council's cabinet voted to agree the change over.