WORCESTER City Council stands accused of trying to “shut down the debate” over a football ground at Perdiswell after refusing to publish results from a public consultation.

A survey over what residents want from Perdiswell Park closed on Friday, September 27, with Lyndon Roberts, the man behind the Bring City Home movement on Twitter, requesting the results.

Council officers responded by saying “the public interest is greater served by withholding the information at this stage” ahead of it being considered by the Environment Committee in January.

READ MORE | Be fair or resign! Legendary City coach's message to councillors

READ MORE | City chairman rails against "protestors and council interference" over stadium plans

READ MORE | Green Party spoke to 90 stadium objectors on doorsteps near Perdiswell 

The reply read: “At this current time I feel it is not in the public interest to publish the full responses to the survey as this information has been specifically created/obtained as part of a wide decision making process which is not complete.

“If this information was to be released now I believe it would adversely affect the safe space required for discussion and could undermine the council’s decision making process.”

Environmental Information Regulations give the authority scope to withhold if "the request relates to material which is still in the course of completion, to unfinished documents or to incomplete data".

City’s supporters’ trust, an organisation Mr Roberts is the secretary of, obtained planning permission for a stadium at Perdiswell via an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate after the city council said no against the advice of its own officers.

It has been campaigning for access to the council-owned land since, although trust chairman Dave Wood recently admitted there remains “no will” from Conservative or Green politicians.

Trust director Richard Widdowson argued the survey had ignored the prospect of football on a site that has hosted the sport for many years.

READ MORE | Marco Adaggio returns after a decade away from City 

READ MORE | FA Vase and FA Trophy draws - City get favourable home tie

He said: “Why wait three months to tell people what they have said in a public survey?

“The whole city pays for the park, not just the people who live around the corner. You would think everyone should be able to have their say – are they not interested?

“It is bizarre that there is no reference to football whatsoever considering the Football Foundation funded the pitches there.

“Maybe they want to shut down the debate. The council is not interested in a debate on Perdiswell – the Conservative and Green (Party) certainly.

“Surely if you are doing a survey about potential use, you give an opportunity to discuss every option available.

“Was it a survey just for those who live over the road? If so shouldn’t they be paying for it all, not the whole city?”

Worcester City Council declined to add to the response sent to Mr Roberts who was contacted for comment.