GREAT Totham Parish Council have voted to oppose plans for a new Heybridge Swifts football ground on Goldhanger Road.

Heybridge Swifts Football Club wishes to build a new ground and facilities on land off Goldhanger Road, funding it by allowing Bloor Homes to build 104 homes on its Scraley Road ground.

The club began their first public consultation in March 2015, and after a great deal of feedback released their amended plans for public view in September.

In March last year, Great Totham Parish Council, who oversee part of the proposed development area, initially voted in the plans’ favour.

However, at a council meeting on Monday, members voted to oppose the scheme at the Goldhanger Road site.

Parish Clerk Clive Potter said: “The council initially were supportive of the development shortly after the plans were submitted last year.

“However, now that we have received more information about the proposals, the council has chosen to reverse this decision and vote to oppose the plans.”

Speaking on behalf of the Goldhanger Road Group, Patrick Forsyth welcomed the council’s decision.

He said: “Given the overwhelming level of objection to the proposed site, the earlier decision of Great Totham to favour it mystified us.

“This seems to have been based on the idea of approving Swifts having upgraded facilities, something most people agree on. It is the wholly unsuitable site that is the problem.

“We are pleased to see the council’s decision added to the case against. With opposition continuing to grow, it is to be hoped that, in due course, Maldon District Council will accept the overpowering environmental case against and kick the idea into touch.”

Gary White, Chairman of Heybridge Swifts Football Club, said: "Great Totham Parish Council previously stated they supported the application because of the ‘health and social well-being that additional football facilities would provide the community in the area’.

"Nothing in the further information we have provided to the council has changed this and we are disappointed to learn that the parish no longer support improving the sporting facilities and the overall health and well-being for local young people.”