A FOOTBALL boss said he was “amazed” by the rejection of plans for a new stadium on Green Belt land – but insisted he had 'no sour grapes'.

Marlow Football Club's bid to build a new stadium at Little Marlow Gravel Pits was thrown out by The Planning Inspectorate yesterday.

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

Club director Ray Frith said: “I'm very disappointed and rather surprised. Our barrister was very very good and we certainly couldn't have done any more.

“It seemed that no matter what we said the inspector thought the openness of that area was more important than anything else.

"Travellers have set up on that land three times now so that's obviously more important than the needs of Marlow FC and 500-odd youth players."

There was huge opposition to the plans from residents and Mr Frith said: “I'm sure those at Little Marlow have already cracked open the champagne bottles.”

Planning inspector Ken Barton ruled the new 264-seat stadium would be “inappropriate development in the Green Belt” and found “very special circumstances” for the stadium development did not exist.

Ken Fincken, of North West Estates, said the decision showed a "complete disregard for the sporting benefit to the community".

He said councillors at Wycombe District Council who originally rejected the plans had done so because it would be a vote winner rather than the right decision.

He said he would sit down with his advisors in the next two weeks and decide what steps to take next. He did not rule out applying for a judicial review in the High Court.

The Marlow Society opposed both plans but chairman Ron Waters said he was “not triumphant” about the ruling.

He said: “We understand the football club's position and their requirements but it's probably the right decision for the town.

He urged the club to “work with” people in the town to find areas where its youth teams can train, adding that Higginson Park and fields at Gossmore Lane and local schools are under-used.

Barbara Wallis, a councillor at Little Marlow Parish Councillor, said: “I'm absolutely delighted and I think it was the right decision because it's preserved the Green Belt.

“Hopefully we shall now be able to progress the formation of a country park on the land.”

See this Friday's Marlow Free Press for more reaction to the decision.