A CLUB that refused to pay rent to Petersfield Town Council has been backed by the same authority to get a five-figure payout at the expense of needy residents. Developer funds of nearly £138,000 had been earmarked by councillors to replace ageing play equipment at Woods Meadow and Borough Hill. But they would now like £61,976 of that to be spent on floodlighting and other improvements at Petersfield Rugby Club instead of the latter play area. The change of heart by Petersfield Town Council follows a lengthy dispute between the two parties over the lease of the Penns Place pitches. For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.