A youth football club in Gloucestershire has been left without training facilities after a series of deep trenches were carved across its pitches by The Ashville Group, the property owner who intends to convert the land into a business park.
Club secretary Isobel Greaves described the damage as "devastating", while manager Ian Greaves went further, calling the intrusion "nothing short of vandalism" and warning that the ruined fields have forced the cancellation of several friendly matches.
The Ashville Group maintains that the pitches have been restored and remain usable, promising that the new business park will bring modern amenities if its planning application receives approval.
Community Response
Richard Fishlock, strategic lead for active environments at Active Gloucestershire, highlighted the broader significance of community sports spaces, noting their role in physical health, mental wellbeing and social cohesion.
Fishlock pledged support to the affected clubs, committing to help them locate alternative venues and temporary grounds while a long‑term solution is sought.
Future Plans
Churchdown Panthers, which fields more than 300 young players, currently trains at the Dowty Sports and Social Club near Staverton. The club believes it may eventually relocate to new facilities, but Ian Greaves admits the outlook remains uncertain.
The dispute underscores a growing tension between development pressures and the preservation of grassroots sport, a clash that will likely shape planning debates across the region.