DEVELOPERS have clashed with residents over proposals for new sports facilities in Witney.

A proposal has been put forward to demolish the now derelict Witney Community Football Stadium, much to the anger of locals.

But the developers say if given planning permission, they will provide £1 million to build a new all-weather pitch and other sporting facilities.

The package would be part of an overall deal to pay £4.5 million towards community schemes, including a playground.

The stadium has been empty since 2013 when Witney Football Club moved out but many want to see it used by local sports teams.

Witney Holdings Limited, which is behind the plans, say the site is now dangerous and its proposal for a hotel with 62 bedrooms, up to 3,720 metres of office space, and approximately 250 new homes, of which 40 per cent will be affordable, will benefit everyone.

The company also says the community will gain as new sports facilities will replace the current empty and “not financially viable” one.

A spokesperson from Witney Holdings said: “We understand that local people have emotional attachments to Witney Town Football Club and its former ground.

"However, it has always been a privately-owned facility and did not provide a long-term sustainable use for the site. As a result the buildings have fallen into a state of disrepair after the club folded in 2013.

"Our proposed scheme offers a substantial gain in local sporting facilities which, unlike the current situation, will be available for the whole community. In addition, the scheme will also provide much needed houses and jobs for local people.”

Andrew Carruthers, a leading organisational member for the project, said there was support for the scheme.

He said: “A public consultation event, which was widely advertised, was held in early March 2016. Feedback forms were given to attendees and around two-thirds of respondents expressed support for the various elements of the mixed-use scheme.”

But campaigners against the demolition say a new all-weather pitch is not enough.

Fitness instructor Dan Skidmore, 27, recently launched a petition to save the old stadium which has gathered almost 500 signatures.

The Mountfield Road resident said: “It should be replaced like for like.

“They’re looking to replace it with a 3G AstroTurf pitch, which doesn’t have the same function as the pitch they’re getting rid of.

“We already have two Astroturf pitches in town. I don’t see another one being of great need.”

Mr Skidmore recently met with the developers to discuss the plans but says he remains determined to see the existing stadium saved and brought back to life.

Witney Mayor Chris Holliday says that if the new Astroturf pitch gets built then it is likely to be built near Witney Lakes.

He also believes should the scheme get the go-ahead then it would help the housing shortage in West Oxfordshire.

He said: “There are not enough houses in Oxfordshire. It’s a national problem.”