Alresford Town Council have confirmed land known as ‘The Paddock’ will not be part of an agreement to build rugby pitches in the town.

The council has secured a deal for a field near Arlebury Park for the pitches and had been in discussions to purchase the 1.38 acre paddock to the west of Arlebury Park Barns Lane.

But councillors told a public meeting last month the deal for the paddock had collapsed as there was no public access to the land.

The council has now unanimously passed a formal resolution removing the paddock from the scheme.

He added Alresford Rugby Club, who will take control of the pitches, had arranged an agronomist report which showed the land was suitable for play and could be ready by September 2013 if work begins in July.

The RFU has pledged support to the club and is planning to give it a grant of £50,000 to help with the development.