A BID to build a new stadium for Marlow Football Club on Green Belt land has been thrown out by The Planning Inspectorate.

Sponsors North West Estates had struck a deal with the football club to build a new stadium at Little Marlow Gravel Pits and turn their current Oak End Way ground into 93 homes.

Wycombe District Council rejected the plans last year and planning inspector Ken Barton upheld the decision today after a six-day appeal hearing in January.

He ruled the new 264-seat stadium would be “inappropriate development in the Green Belt” and would “erode the gap” between Marlow and Little Marlow.

Marlow FC and North West Estates had argued there were “very special circumstances” for building the new ground, which would have provided one home for more than 500 youth playerS, as well as the senior teams.

Mr Barton accepted the new ground would be of “definite benefit” to the football club but said the location would “not be as convenient as the current ground”.

He said it would have a “significant detrimental impact” on the surrounding area and found that “very special circumstances” do not exist.

Both plans were dependent on each other and Mr Barton said the proposed 93 homes at the current Alfred Davis Stadium would result in a “hard urban landscape dominated by cars”.

He found both plans were contrary to the aims of various local plans.

For all the reaction check back to the website and see Friday's Marlow Free Press. See links below for more stories on the plan and the full decision notice.