FOOTBALL teams using a Lingfield park have had their match hire charges more than doubled – after a dispute over the state of the pitch.
The increases have been imposed after the management of Talbot Road Recreation Ground changed hands, with Lingfield Parish Council handing over control to Tandridge District Council.
It has seen pitch charges fall in line with the district council's fees – which means that adult teams' bookings have soared overnight from £44 to £89.40, and junior sides' charges have risen from £18 to £45.20.
Mother-of-one Lisa Bangs, who is a member of both councils, said: "The prices should never have been inflated by about 100 per cent overnight – at the very least the increases should have been staggered."
Paul Barton, the district council's deputy director of community services, said in the past, the district council had provided grounds maintenance at no extra cost to the parish.
Paul Hearnden, manager of Lingfield Youth FC under-15s team, said: "What the increase has done is discouraged a youth team from using a recreational field to play football."
