Valley Playing Field Update

Published: 23 February 2026

Valley Playing Field Update 

Last week’s Valley News publication included an article and comment expressing frustration about the continuing closure the playing field. Specifically, it highlighted how long the expert analysis and report is taking, that some residents do not believe there could be increased health risk and should be able to weigh up risks for themselves, and that councillors do not understand or empathise with those who hold these opinions. 

Parish and District councillors believe that they do recognise, understand and share the frustration and concerns that the Valley Playing Field remains closed. They all live in the parish, some in the valley, and care deeply about the exceptional community and surroundings of which we are all part.  Some councillors, and indeed their parents and children, have enjoyed the playing field over very many years. We have listened to and do empathise with residents who have expressed a range of views and concerns. 

As has been previously detailed, Stroud District Council has advised the site is closed whilst the investigation takes place. This investigation work is part of their legal duty, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, making sure any potential contamination of the site is adequately assessed to ensure it is suitable for use. A closure decision is never taken lightly, however, this is an interim measure whilst the matter is investigated. Some may consider that closure is excessively prudent, but it reflects the nature of the potential seriousness of the risk to public health in this instance.

 Despite the opinions expressed in the article, there are good reasons to believe that environmental circumstances may have changed and that the risk to health may currently be higher than in the past.  

The investigations have taken longer than hoped because of the need to consider complex environmental data which has required additional expert testing and review. 

Highlighting and responding to the situation is part of councillors’ role and responsibility. 

Differing perceptions of risk, currently based on opinion, can only be resolved by expert analysis and consideration, based on evidence, about the current circumstances and assessment of risk to health. 

We would all be delighted and hugely relieved if it is concluded that the issues and risks are negligible and manageable, the playing field can be swiftly reopened and the planned equipment improvements progressed. If not, we need to understand the elevated risks and what the options and costs are for remediation and management. 

We are committed to publication of the report and further expert analysis as soon as it is complete and to a public meeting to debate it and the options going forward. 

We have been concerned that in the absence of a final report and conclusions any interim more detailed statements would be inconclusive only adding to frustrations and further fuelling rumours because they could either be seen as scaremongering or raising what might transpire to be false hope.  

The increasing presence of broken glass and pottery, raised by many residents, also needs to be considered.