A grassroots football club says the loss of two junior pitches to a proposed housing development would cause serious and lasting harm to community sport.
Sport England has joined Sherburn White Rose FC in lodging objections to an outline planning application for up to 300 homes off Tadcaster Road, in Sherburn-in-Elmet, near Selby.
Applicant Barratt David Wilson Yorkshire East say the scheme would be a high-quality development with a range of house types and sizes.
Recreation space and a trim trail are proposed as part of the scheme.
Supporting documents state: “The proposal would create a high-quality new residential-led development in a sustainable and logical location where new residents would help support local services and areas of public open space would provide useful additional facilities for existing local people together with new residents of the scheme.”
A corner of the site is currently used by Sherburn White Rose FC, with the land leased by Sherburn White Rose Sports and Social Club.
Concerns have been raised that while one existing full-sized pitch would be maintained on the land, two junior pitches would be lost to make way for a sustainable drainage system (SUDS) and landscaping.
Mick Hawes, from Sherburn White Rose FC, said in the club’s response to the plans that they need more space for pitches, not less.
He added: “The introduction of a SUDS feature results in a substantial reduction in usable playing area, equating to the loss of at least two small-sided 5 v 5 pitches.
“This loss is incompatible with the club’s current size and ongoing growth, driven by increased local population from continuous housing developments.”
The club also voiced concerns that the plans failed to provide assurances about long-term access to the pitches for the club.
Worries about disruption during the construction phase were also raised in the response.
The club suggested that as well as retaining the pitch area and ensuring the club’s long-term access, the applicant could help improve the facilities by constructing on-site toilets or a small cafe.
Mr Hawes added: “Without these benefits and needs being met, the proposal will cause serious and lasting harm to community sport and fails to meet national and local planning policy requirements.”
Sport England said it objected to the application as it would result in the loss of playing fields used for football, and the scheme did not meet any of the exceptions in its playing fields policy.
Christopher Carroll, Sport England planning manager, added: “It is advised that the applicant works with the council in ensuring that the sporting needs of the new residents are met with either the financial contribution towards existing sporting facilities and/or the provision of new sports facilities.”
The football club’s objection has been backed by Sherburn-in-Elmet Parish Council.
It said: “These pitches have been in use by the community for over 25 years.
“There are already serious capacity issues for Sherburn White Rose FC, which will only be worsened if existing areas are not retained or expanded.”
The parish council also reiterated concerns it has previously voiced about the cumulative impact of multiple housing developments in the local area.
“This and other potential developments, without contribution towards local facilities, will cause further strain on local services and infrastructure,” it added.
