Powys County Council has now paused the development of a new state of the art sports facility in Llanfair Caereinion to allow time for further consideration.

It follows concerns raised by the town's hockey club about a proposal to replace the outdated sports pitch with a 3G pitch.

Powys County Council said the pitches could be suitable for hockey and a number of other outdoor sports – but Llanfair Ladies Hockey Club has disputed the claims, warning that 3G pitches are too small, potentially dangerous, and unsuitable for tennis and athletics.

“If a small-sized 3G pitch is installed in preference to a full-sized sand-based 2G pitch, it will undoubtedly have a detrimental effect on the development of sporting talent within the area, particularly girls, and will restrict the sports available to the school and community,” said Ceri Broughall who has been a PE teacher in Welshpool for 29 years and involved with hockey for more than 40 years in a letter to the County Times.

She congratulated the council on securing funds to replace the “very sub-standard” pitches at Ysgol Llanfyllin and Caereinion High School, which were laid in the 1980s, but added: “I must express my extreme disappointment at the proposal to replace the pitches with three quarter size 3G pitches, rather than full size 2G pitches, particularly as hockey cannot be played effectively on 3G pitches.

“Llanfair Hockey Club has been hugely successful over the last 40 years due to the dedication of several people, all of whom have given of their time freely as volunteers. The club has thrived and as well as running a ladies team has developed a very successful mixed junior section and given many opportunities to the community of Llanfair and the Banwy Valley.

“If a small sized 3G pitch is installed in preference to a full-sized sand based 2G pitch, it will have a detrimental effect on the development of sporting talent within the area, particularly girls, and will restrict the sports available to the school and community.

“The chance of being able to play competitive hockey in Llanfair and continue to develop the players of the future will be sadly lost."

A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “A strategic review of pitches across Powys has been undertaken, which analysed and assessed surface conditions, locations, range and numbers of users, education requirements and transformation plans, travel times to the nearest alternative pitch, future maintenance and replacement costs, and areas of the county that do not have any current provision.

"The decision to replace and reinvest in existing facilities is not concluded lightly, there is limited capital funding available and the need for fairness and equity in the approach taken.

“There are five full-size ‘astro turf’ pitches; in Welshpool, Newtown, Llandrindod, Brecon and Ystradgynlais, which cater for a range of sports and enable competitive matches to be played.

“In order to enable a range of sports, activities and opportunities for Powys pupils, residents, communities and visitors, the review determined that a ‘multi-surface short-pile 3G’ surface would replace the three redundant redgra pitches in Llanidloes, Llanfyllin and Llanfair Caereinion.

“Following the announcement of the pitch replacements in Llanfyllin and Llanfair Caereinion and subsequent representations made with regards to the chosen pitch surface, a decision has been taken to pause the development of the Llanfair Caereinion site to allow time for further consideration.”