South Gloucestershire | Archive | 2006 | February | 10
From the archive, first published Friday 10th Feb 2006.
DISAPPOINTED members of a Winterbourne football club have voiced their dismay following another set back in their battle to find a home ground in the village.
Wintebourne United had teamed up with the parish council on a proposal to create pitches on nine-acres of Green Belt farmland off Beacon Lane.
But last Thursday at a South Gloucestershire Council planning committee the plans were refused because of ecological and parking issues - even though it had been approved by planning officers.
Robyn Maggs, chairman of the football club, told the Gazette he was bitterly disappointed with the decision.
He added: "We have 200 members at this football club and there is currently not enough space for us all to play and train.
"The third team has to play in Filton as there is no space in the village. This is costing the club money."
Mat Rees, spokesman for South Gloucestershire Council, said: "Councillors refused the application because it was considered that access and parking would be inappropriate as the site was on the Green Belt, and the detrimental impact the plans could have on the wildlife habitat on the site."
Mr Maggs said that the football club and Winterbourne Parish Council, as joint applicants, had spent £6,000 trying to find more sports facilities in the village.
"We have been searching for more space for eight years now," he said.
"We had applications turned down for land on Swan Land and now this is the second time plans at Beacon Lane have been rejected.
"It is costing a lot of money but we will continue to search because more playing areas are a necessity."
Winterbourne Sports Association and Sport of England had both given their full support to the club, which is eight points clear at the top of the Helenic League Division One West.
The club is desperate to find a new ground as the club cannot be promoted if its stays at its present ground at Winterbourne Recreation Field, which fails to meet the sport's specifications.
Mr Maggs said the club must now to consider the next move to attain a recreational field the village.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008