RESIDENTS have said it would be a disaster if plans to get rid of Witney Community Stadium go ahead and have launched a petition to save the now derelict grounds.

The stadium in Downs Road has sat empty since February 2013 when the football team moved out and plans knock the current building down ahead of major redevelopment have been put forward.

But many are determined not to let it go without a fight.

Fitness instructor Dan Skidmore wants the facility to be brought back to its former glory and has launched a petition to save the stadium.

The 27-year-old, who used to play football there, said he had to do something when plans were announced earlier this year for 257 homes, offices and a hotel to be built on the land.

Mr Skidmore, who lives in Mountfield Road with partner Charmaine Sadler and their 10-month-old daughter Sophia, said: "Despite it's current condition, to get rid of the stadium altogether would be a disaster. It has so much potential.

"This town deserves a decent football team. There's a real need. But the stadium can also become a social hub for so much more than football. It can be used for other sporting activities, a music venue, a place for business meetings, car boots, parties, conferences."

Former players for Witney town have also come out in support of the petition.

Andy Leach said: "I was Witney Town Captain when we moved to the ground and my last league game there 1999. Fantastic time and memories. It's so wrong that Witney hasn't a football team any more . The ground must stay then maybe Witney Town football club will happen again."

Back in May, developers Witney Holdings Ltd submitted a proposal for 3,720 square metres office space, a 62-bed hotel and up to 257 homes in Downs Road- which would mean the demolition of the stadium. The application is due to be heard by West Oxfordshire District Council's planning committee later this year.

Councillor for planning Warwick Robinson said the land, on the western site of Downs Road, was not one the council had earmarked in its draft local plan as suitable for development.

Mr Skidmore's petition, titled "Save Witney Community Football Stadium" has generated more than 150 signatures and 50 comments from people desperate to see it stay in the town.

Scout leader Chloe Tebby said: "Witney is a great town with a great community. However with all the development that has been going on, our future community - our children - have been left out. The town is in real need of facilities that benefit us."

Mr Skidmore added: "I grew up in Witney and played football for the local team. I even played at the ground myself.

"This is something this town is missing out on. Once the ground is gone we'll be lucky to get another. I just think it's a waste of a building and a waste of potential."

Witney Town FC started in 2001 with the intent of bringing back senior football to the town. But after lengthy discussions in 2013 between Uhlsport Hellenic League and the club trustees, no-one came forward to take over Witney Town, and the club folded.

The stadium has been left empty ever since.

The developers says the site is currently unsafe and should be demolished and their proposal represent a sustainable use of the land.

Visit ipetitions.com/petition/resurrection-of-witney-community-football-stadium to sign Mr Skidmore's petition. He is aiming for a total of 500.