Recent DEFRA research shows that artificial grass sports pitches are amongst the worst sources of microplastic and 'forever chemicals' pollution, yet Norwich City Council intend to go ahead with their plans to spend over a million pounds on constructing such a pitch on Sloughbottom Park in Mile Cross, Norwich. The park occupies a sensitive environmental location, being bordered by the River Wensum, Mile Cross Marshes County Wildlife Site, Sloughbottom Marshes Norfolk Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve and Valpy Avenue Allotment Site. Furthermore, project will involve the fencing off and privatisation of a public green space - this would be a dangerous precedent.  We feel it is  highly ironic that funding intended to improve the health and economic prospects of the local community is being used in this way and call on the Council to think again.