By Graham Smith

Planners have finally given the go ahead for a housing estate on the site of Wadebridge Town football club.

The 13-2 vote means the club will relocate to fields behind Wadebridge school.  This morning’s decision is subject to legal agreements and a deal with a neighbouring landowner.

Wadebridge Town Council, and local Cornwall councillors, were opposed to the scheme, which involves 143 homes, office building, the erection of a new sports club house, an all-weather sports pitch and other facilities, car parking and new pedestrian access to the adjacent primary school, open space and associated highway works.

It has taken several years to bring the application to its current position.  Planning officer Matt Stephenson said it had been “very challenging for all parties.”

Referring to two other major applications – one between Bodieve and the Ball Roundabout, and the other between Egloshayle and Sladesbridge – Mr Stephenson said those schemes would be considered in the context of the Wadebridge Neighbourhood Development Plan.  “Those schemes are not supportable, in our opinion,” he said, “but this one is.”

The proposal to grant conditional planning consent was moved by councillor Andrew Long and seconded by councillor Cornelius Olivier.

It is still possible that Sport England might insist on referring the application to the Secretary of State.  Sport England is concerned that unless the phasing of the development is carried out sympathetically, Wadebridge could be without a football ground while the housing estate is under construction.