Plans for a “ridiculously high” storage building to keep mowers and a tractor on a playing field in Cheltenham have been deferred.
Leckhampton Rovers FC wants permission to position a metal framed unit at Burrow’s Field.
The shed is designed to be 29.8ft long, 20.1ft wide and 12.1ft high and would be surrounded by a 7.5ft tall security fence.
Around £1m is being invested in the playing fields and around £515,000 has been spent on improving the pitches.
The club says the storage unit is needed to maintain the site to a high standard and will allow them to buy equipment, a tractor, mowers and have somewhere secure to keep them.
The club also intends to take over some of the maintenance currently undertaken by Ubico on behalf of Cheltenham Borough Council.
Ward councillor Martin Horwood (Lib Dem, Leckhampton) spoke in favour of the plans and said it was good the club was being supported by Sporting England.
He said the club made enormous efforts to work with the council and wider community to make the project happen and the storage was essential.
It will allow onsite secure storage of the mower and goal posts, he said.
“A considerable amount of money is being spent on the current transformation of Leckhampton Rovers’ new home ground which is on a 21 year lease from the borough,” he said.
“This proposal will respect the rights of dog walkers, cricketers, users of the playground and the popular BMX pump track as well.
“It’s certainly respectful of the nursery school on the site as well.”
But Cllr Bernie Fisher (Lib Dem, Swindon Village) said he felt the height was excessive.
He said there was no explanation as to why the building was so tall as the doors were 8.33ft high.
“It is a blot on the landscape. It’s no architectural beauty in any shape or form,” he said.
“It’s ridiculously high.”
Councillor Paul Baker (Lib Dem, Charlton Park) asked for the proposals to be deferred as he too felt it was excessively large for the location.
The planning committee voted for deferral and officers will ask the developer why they need the building to be that high.
