THE row between two sports clubs over a bid to allocate a York cricket pitch for housing in York’s Local Plan has intensified.

City of York Hockey Club has issued a statement calling on Heworth Cricket Club to apologise for a ‘damaging’ petition which claimed it could be forced out of existence by hockey club plans to redevelop its pitch at Elmpark Way.

The Press reported on Saturday that the hockey club had made a submission during a recent consultation by City of York Council for the land to be allocated for housing in the Plan, which will guide future development in the city.

The hockey club said yesterday it found it difficult to understand why the cricket club found it necessary to air its concerns through a ‘misleading’ public petition, rather than continuing an open dialogue.

“CYHC is very sad to see the tension this has created amongst members in both clubs and does not condone any inappropriate behaviour,” it added.

A cricket club spokesman, who said previously it had suspended its support for the petition whilst it obtained further details, declined to comment further yesterday.