STATE of the art football pitches have been given planning approval in Green Lane and will encourage more people to get involved with sport in Devizes, say Wiltshire Football Association.

The football association will now build a 3G pitch with artificial turf, several grass pitches and a new HQ at the site in the south of Devizes.

The controversial plans were approved by the Eastern area planning committee, despite objections raised by Devizes Bowmen archery club.

Members said a 3G pitch in the centre of the playing field would stop them from being able to shoot safely and could force the club to close down.

Member John Bradshaw, of Waiblingen Way, Devizes said: "If the pitches stay in the proposed location, Devizes Bowmen will not be able to shoot on the range that the club currently shoot on. The club could cease to exist if the club was unable to find anywhere else to shoot."

Concerns were also raised by ecologists who believe that six flood lights illuminating the pitches will disturb rare bat species in the neighbouring Drews Pond Wood. Resident Gareth Harris said 12 of the 16 rarest species of bats had been spotted in the area and added: “Inappropriate development with insensitive lighting schemes will undoubtedly have an adverse impact upon these species by severing commuting routes and removing foraging areas.”

Mark Young of the Wiltshire FA said: “Football has the largest capacity for growth and we need to invest in order to meet the needs of future demand we expect to happen in the town. The new pitch will stand the test of time and the revenue created by hire of the 3G pitch will ensure we can maintain the grass pitches surrounding it.” Although approving the plan unanimously, the planning panel told Wiltshire Football Association it had a moral obligation to improve security after Wiltshire Police raised concerns about a lack of security measures at the site.