A FOOTBALL club has been urged to look elsewhere for a new ground after councillors blocked proposals to reinstate pitches in the town.

Carterton FC wanted to use Swinbrook Road Recreation Ground on weekend mornings for seven months of the year, but Carterton Town Council unanimously refused the plans at a meeting.

Some residents on Baldwin Mews, which is next to the recreation ground, opposed the idea as they said the road would be 'inundated' with traffic on matchdays.

The football club, which plays at Kilkenny Lane, suggested building a car park off Speyside Close, on the opposite side of the field, but says it has temporarily abandoned its 'pursuit' of Swinbrook Road.

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It is looking at other sites in the town, and West Oxfordshire district councillor Maxine Crossland suggested another option would be better.

She said: “My understanding is that the football club is looking to alternative sites, which would be more suitable in terms of already having parking and changing rooms available.

“Swinbrook Road is a piece of land without facilities so I feel there are better places around the town.”

Ms Crossland, who is also chairman of West Oxfordshire District Council, spoke for residents on Baldwin Mews at last month's town council meeting.

The councillor has always supported the football club, but felt the residential road might not be able to deal with matchday traffic.

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She said: “It’s not suitable for the volume of traffic on matchdays.

“It’s a case of preserving the quality of life of the residents of that area, which they have always enjoyed.

“If there was no alternative site it would be a different matter.

“I support sport for all but we have to remember it’s not for everybody and other views have to be taken into consideration.”

Carterton Squash Club is based in a hall on the edge of the recreation ground, but no organised sport takes place on the field itself.

The football club proposed to hold youth matches from August to March, plus the occasional 'young tots' tournament.

The area at the opposite end to Baldwin Mews would be used by players aged seven to 10 on a Saturday for 40 minutes.

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Meanwhile, the larger pitch would be used by 12 to 17-year-olds on Sunday for 60 to 95 minutes.

Carterton FC volunteers would maintain the recreation ground, but town council clerk, Ron Spurs, said the lack of consultation with residents let the bid down.

He said: “If they talked to residents and came back then we’d consider it again. The ball is in their court.”

Club chairman, Phil Godfrey, previously said young players were often unable to train or play at Kilkenny Lane due to a lack of pitches in the town.

Nick Truman, the club's groundsman, added that giving young players game time made it a 'win-win' situation.

He said: “The council has a chance to reconsider - we’ve even offered to maintain the pitch. It's not just about Carterton FC, it's about all football in Carterton."