Oxfordshire footballers protest ‘devastating’ developer plan

Carterton Football Club held a protest on Monday, May 18, against the potential scheme put forward by David Wilson Homes, at a consultation hosted by the developer.

Around 200 people from the football club attended Carterton Community Centre in Marigold Square, as well as local MP Charlie Maynard and 40 students and staff from the Procision Oxford Football Academy.

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Of those, there were about 100 young football players at the protest, with its leaders saying it will drastically reduce the number of pitches available for local sport and recreation.

The plan would see homes built on land owned by David Wilson Homes, who have leased it to Carterton Football Club for seven years.

Carterton Football Club protested the proposed development on Monday, May 18 (Image: Ken Reay)

The 45-year-old football club has spent around £40,000 on the site’s 10 pitches, which is next to its sports hub and is used by its over 500 players across 30 men, women, boys and girls’ teams.

Andrew Walton, chair at Carterton, said it would “break” the club.

He added: “If this goes ahead it will break the football club and the teams will fragment.”

The developer, David Wilson Homes, is looking at building 165 homes on the site – called ‘Land North of Price Way’ – and say they intend to keep leasing land to the club free of charge.

Carterton Football Club protested the proposed development on Monday, May 18 (Image: Ken Reay)

However the new land suggested is not only away from the club but also significantly smaller according to Mr Walton.

“What they are giving us is not the same as what we have at the moment,” he said, adding: “What we are using is double the size of what they are giving us.”

A spokesperson for David Wilson Homes said: “We have been engaging with the football club regarding proposals to relocate the existing pitches from the eastern side of the site to the western side.

Carterton Football Club protested the proposed development on Monday, May 18 (Image: Ken Reay)

“Our proposals include 2.75 hectares of land, which is equivalent to the current lease area, alongside upgraded sports facilities, purpose-built grass pitches designed to Sport England standards, improved drainage, dedicated car parking, cycle provision and toilet facilities.

“The new pitches would be available for use before the existing pitches are removed to avoid disruption to the football season.”

At the protest, parents expressed their dissatisfaction with the scheme.

Charlie Maynard, MP for Witney, attended the protest (Image: Ken Reay)

“The kids already don’t have enough pitches to play on, and now they’re going to have even fewer,” said one mother.

Another added that many children in Carterton are part of military families and so it helps them build relationships.

She said: “Take that away, and they’ve got nothing. Carterton Football Club really is at the heart of the local community.”

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Several others mentioned that 3,000 new homes are planned in the town and so more football pitches are needed, not fewer.

The club supports SEND provision, works with charities such as MIND, hosts tournaments and melds the community together in other ways.

Mr Walton added that he was keen to continue speaking with the developer to find a solution.

“We are open to talking,” he said.