A controversial plan to create a pitch for Bishops Cannings Youth Football Club has been recommended for refusal by district councillors.

Although planning officers could find no other reason for turning down the application for a pitch at Manor Farm in Coate, the weight of local opposition was enough for them to advise councillors to turn it down.

A report to tomorroww’s meeting of Kennet District Council’s regulatory committee said the council has received two petitions against the proposal, with 139 signatures.

In addition 63 letters of objection have been received from 39 homes, most of them in the village.

But the council has also received a petition with 51 signatures and 25 letters supporting the scheme.

The club, which used to boast 65 members but now can only raise 36, has had to play its matches at Green Lane playing field in Devizes since being asked to leave its former ground at the New Inn in Coate.

It wants to return to the village but local opposition is ranged against it.

In a report planning officer Rachael Yeomans said the scheme would not have a major impact on the landscape.

She said: “The issue is certainly finely balanced.

“But officers have concluded that, having regard to the location of the playing field in a small village where background noise levels are very low, the proposed use would result in significant harm and loss of amenity to near neighbours.”

The furore over the application has resulted in the landlords of the New Inn, Dave Conroy and Brian Bennett, handing in their notice.

Mr Conroy said: “This is tearing the village apart and we just can’t take any more. It has created a very bad atmosphere.”

The two men are due to take over another Wadworth pub in Somerset, probably early in the New Year.