The future of a Market Drayton sports club looked uncertain this week after district council planning officials turned down proposals to redevelop the site.
Plans for nearly 40 homes to be built on land around the town’s Cricket, Hockey and Squash Club were thrown out by North Shropshire District Council at a meeting on Wednesday.
They rejected the proposals put forward by Sheffield-based property developers, Devardi Holdings, because of the adverse impact it would have on residents and wildlife in the area.
Devardi planned to build 39 apartments around the edge of the pitch in Betton Road, in four three-storey blocks.
They also would have provided the club with a new club house, containing new changing rooms, a lounge and a new squash court.
Speaking exclusively to the Advertiser, the chairman of the sports club, John Upton, said: “I was sorry that the committee rejected the recommendation of their professional staff.
“It was also the recommendation of Sport England, the statutory body set up to prevent the loss of more sports grounds.
“We await the formal notice which will set out the reasons for the rejection and I have no further comment.”
A number of residents opposed Devardi’s plans, fearing a loss of privacy, increased noise and a rise in anti-social behaviour in the area.
However, letters of support sent to the district council said the development was needed “to secure the future of the club.”
Town councillors voted against the plans last month, believing it would be totally out of character.
Councillor Roy Aldcroft, whose town council ward includes the sports club, said: “My concern was the sure impact on the area in and around Betton Road.
“This development would have been put on land which is and has been, for many years, totally recreational and which provides a wildlife habitat in its hedges and trees.
“I cannot believe that the only way to ensure the survival of the cricket club is to sell off part of its land for the development.
“Fortunately the planning committee took the same view.”
