Lease agreed for Herringthorpe Playing Fields

Senior councillors backeded the plans, which will see an area the size of three pitches fenced off for rugby.

But Rotherham Rugby Club _ whose professional arm is the Titans - described the minimum 21-year agreement, which  requires the setting up of a liaison committee to iron out issues such as parking, as wonderful news.

Director John McCormick said: “Approving the lease was the right decision and I’m absolutely delighted. It’s wonderful news for us and for sport in Rotherham as well.”

Cllrs Mahroof Hussain and Rose McNeely were the only members of Rotherham Borough Council’s Cabinet not to vote in favour of the lease on Wednesday.

Kath Reeder, from Herringthorpe Playing Fields Community Group, said: “We’re devastated.

“People here all say the same, that the land belongs to everyone and should not be going to a private company.”

The nominal lease proposal includes an investment by the rugby club of £300,000 on fencing, drainage and changing rooms. Ten floodlights will also be installed for winter months.

The club — which runs the Phoenix amateur sides and has 300 children in ten age groups — will be required to make the facility available to other clubs.

There were 5,619 signatures objecting to the plan and 1,147 in favour. Sixty-three letters objected and 177 were in support.