THE last chance to have a say on the Eastcote Hockey Club application for a second pitch is fast approaching.

The deadline to make a written or online objection or to support the planned floodlit, all-weather pitch on King’s College Playing Fields off King’s College Road, Ruislip, is Monday next week.

Members of the Friends of Pinn Meadows (FOPM) opposition group say they have seen a rise in interest in the ‘pitch battle’ from local people as the deadline nears.

Martin Cartwright of FOPM said: “Despite the Christmas and New Year break we are still pretty pleased with the way the petitions are going.

“It’s not a matter of persuading people; if we get the forms in front of them they are only too pleased to sign.”

FOPM has two petitions, one against the pitch and one asking the council to make the space a village green.

King’s College Playing Fields form part of the Pinn Meadows, and were given to the people of Ruislip in 1938 by King’s College Cambridge, hence the name.

Last week, the provost of King’s College Cambridge, Professor Ross Harrison, wrote to FOPM member Tim Markham.

He said: “I wish you well in your campaign since, as you say, this was given to the people of Ruislip for their common use.”

However, the chairman of Eastcote Hockey Club, Rob Riddleston, said: “It was given to Ruislip for sporting use which included the use of a swimming pool.

“The pitch supports the initiative of both the government and local authorities to get more people playing more sports.

“On a grass pitch, particularly with the weather we have seen recently, it can only be used once or twice a week. But with the multi-sports pitch it can be used more to help get people fit.”

With a lack of capacity on the current pitch, the club’s youth teams have to travel to artificial turf pitches at Brunel University in Uxbridge and to Harefield.

THE HOCKEY CLUB LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE THIS WEEK TO PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED PITCH. MR RIDDLESTON SAID: “WE BELIEVE THIS SETS OUT FAIRLY AND CONCISELY THE ARGUMENTS FOR BUILDING A SECOND PITCH ON THE PLAYING FIELDS.”

VISIT WWW.KINGSCOLLEGEPLAYINGFIELDS.ORG.UK TO FIND OUT MORE. OR FOR THE FRIENDS OF PINN MEADOWS WEBSITE VISIT FOPM.ORG.UK