Britten’s Field row rumbles on

Plans for the relocation of the clubhouse for Ilminster Town Football Club and a parking area were submitted at the end of October after most town councillors gave them their backing.

The move to Britten’s Field has been on the agenda for ten years, and at the final town council meeting before the plans were submitted last month there was heated division between residents.

Ilminster Town FC says the new facility is vital to the club’s future and attracting more youngsters, but opponents say valuable recreation space will be lost if Britten’s Field is developed.

Sue Moore has already lodged her objections with the council, saying the land should be cherished and preserved for all to use.

She said: “This field has frequent flooding through the winter and drainage will need to be put in to develop the area.

“Last year, drastic action had to be taken to prevent houses backing on to the Britten’s Field site from being flooded.”

The 1,300-strong petition against the development was also uploaded.

Another resident writing on the site, Mr Toms, said while the need for a new football club was essential he objected to the location and expressed concerns about the lack of information provided in the application.

But Lynda Pincombe, a consultee for Sports, Leisure and Arts at the district council, said there would be an increase in the amount of open space.

She writes: “While the proposed development will result in the loss of a small part of the existing recreation ground, overall there will be better provision in terms of quantity and quality of pitches and ancillary facilities, and therefore the benefit will outweigh the loss.

“This project will also provide Ilminster Town Council with the opportunity to remove the old football changing accommodation and increase open space in the central part of the recreation ground.

The district council expects to make a decision on December 18.