THE imminent destruction of the Westinghouse Sports Ground in Chippenham has prompted anger from residents and members of local sports clubs, who feel that new sport facilities must be built immediately.

Planning approval for 76 homes at Westinghouse – in Park Avenue – was granted in March 2012.

A section 106 agreement was placed on the application, meaning no houses can be occupied before new sport provisions are built.

Developer Linden Homes had submitted an amendment on this to Wiltshire Council, asking to pay between £160,000 and £180,000 to Chippenham Rugby Club, which would then complete the work.

This amendment was withdrawn last month but demolition work has started at the site in the past week, angering residents and sports clubs, who are worried if sports facilities aren’t built now they will never be.

Michael Sprules, the chairman of Residents Against Development Affecting Recreation Land, said: “They’re doing this as though the council has given them the nod and said yes.

“If it’s destroyed before it’s replaced that’s where the planning precedent comes and then it becomes a national issue.

“Sports clubs will be at risk, it doesn’t matter if you have a playing pitch strategy, I’m sad from that point of view.

“Once you build all these houses the people in them are going to use the A350 to travel to Bath and Swindon to find the much needed leisure facilities because they won’t be here.”

The bowls clubhouse has already been demolished and power has been disconnected at two houses due for demolition as well as the pavilion at the site.

Helen Stuckey, the chairman of Chippenham Tennis Club, said: “I’m concerned from a sports provision point of view.

“Our membership has grown and grown, in the peak season we’re severely constrained by the number of tennis courts.

“Losing the four tennis courts at Westinghouse is a loss to Chippenham.

“Obviously Chippenham is growing and there’s lots of interest in tennis at the moment with Andy Murray.

“I’d not seen the sports ground before and it was really beautiful – it’s an absolute treasure in the centre of Chippenham.”

A spokesman from Linden Homes Westinghouse LLP said: “We will be delivering the new development in Chippenham as outlined in the planning consent.

“On the main site, demolition is planned for the near future. The offsite sports provision construction has commenced, and will be completed in accordance with the agreed programme timescales.

“We are also pleased that payment for the new sports facilities has been made and initial works have begun.”