A FOOTBALL club chairman has said the club will now consider its options after a council threw out its plans for a new stadium.

Heybridge Swifts Football Club and Bloor Homes planned to build a new stadium in Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, and replace the existing pitches in Scraley Road with 104 homes.

But the proposals, first unveiled in March 2015, were unanimously rejected during an extraordinary meeting of Maldon District Council last Thursday.

Chairman Gary White, who took the position over last year, said the club was ‘very disappointed’ over the decision.

He said: “We are obviously very disappointed with the decision of the council, who had previously been supportive of the stadium scheme as it stood.

“We feel that preventing a facility that would house approximately 20 youth teams, local schools, a post 16 education centre, as well as a senior football club that has been part of the community since 1880, is a backward step.

“It would also create a number of jobs and unlock the current site for over 100 much-needed homes in a region where many cannot afford or are unable to purchase due to a lack of availability or supply.”

Councillors had objected to the plans amid concerns for the environment and the location of the bid.

Mr White added: “When I hear of people opposing the stadium because the ‘floodlights will be seen in outer space’, I really do despair and realise why so few people take an interest in politics these days.

“As a club, we will now meet over the next few days and discuss the options open to us.

“We are understandably disappointed and feel we are owed an explanation for the apparent change of policy from Maldon District Council.

“We have a football club to be proud of, run by some great people who give their time voluntarily – and that has not changed.

“We have had worse obstacles to overcome in our 137-year history and, rest assured, we will overcome this one.”