Plans to build 250 new homes in a market town could disrupt an historic 350-year-old football tradition, organisers have claimed.
Houses are earmarked for 35 acres of pastoral farmland off the Green Road in Ashbourne.
Steve Jones, secretary of the Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football Committee, has written to the local council opposing the development – saying it could cause ‘significant harm to Ashbourne’s most important culture and economic assets’.
The Up’Ards in the town – born north of Henmore Brook – have traditionally played the Down’Ards – born south of the river – every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.
The two-day game, known as
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