A THRIVING junior football club fears it could be left homeless when hundreds of new homes are built in Beaconsfield.

Holtspur FC is concerned the three pitches at Wilton Park could be lost once the site is sold to housing developers by the Ministry of Defence.

Beaconsfield Town Council members pledged their support last week after a public plea from club chairman Keith Bowyer.

Keith told the Bucks Free Press: “The support mentioned was very pleasing to hear. But I think there’s still the question of what will happen and hopefully the district council will approve a plan that includes football pitches.”

South Bucks District Council’s core policy says: “Any redevelopment proposals should... Retain the existing level of sports and recreational facilities, with qualitative improvements where appropriate, making them available for local clubs and public use.”

But Keith says he would feel more comfortable if ‘should’ was replaced with ‘must’, adding: “We obviously feel under threat until that changes.”

But he hopes the mention of ‘qualitative improvements’ could lead to much-needed changing rooms and toilets at the site.

Holtspur FC has used Wilton Park for about 20 years and its membership has swelled from 170 to 310 in the last four years. The club also uses two pitches in Wooburn Green.

Planners believe Wilton Park has the potential for 300 new homes and the council has teamed up with the MOD and Inland Homes draw up detailed proposals - see related links.