A NATIONAL sporting body has said they are opposing a housing project at the former Headlands School until more details can be provided.

An application has been put forward to build 150 homes on the old site, as well as a football pitch, but there have been complaints from residents.

Esprit Gymnastics, who are based adjacent to the site, have also expressed concerns that the loss of car parking spaces will have a dramatic effect on its users.

Sport England has put forward a holding objection to the proposals until it can see the section 106 agreement, details of parking provision for the gym and assurances of public use for the new playing field.

In its submission to the consultation on the plan, the organisation said it has a certain number of criteria a development must achieve for it not to abject and the Headlands proposal has the potential to meet those criteria.

However, it has requested more detail before withdrawing the objection but if these details are not met then the application may be submitted for investigation at a national level.

It said: “Sport England wishes to be satisfied that the requirements of the sports users of the site have been addressed and that the replacement playing fields will be provided.

“This includes understanding whether or not there is sufficient parking provision for the users of the gymnastics centre and the sports field.

“Sport England therefore wishes to submit a holding objection to this application until further information is provided.”

Permission for building houses on the site has previously been given and this latest application, put forward by Bellway Homes, relates to the layout of the houses.

Mark Hows, the owner of Esprit Gymnastics, said: “We have always known the land was set aside for housing. I just don’t think they’ve put enough thought into it.

“There are not enough car parking spaces for the football pitch so they will use ours. We have 2,500 people who use Esprit so it will be chaos.”

Many residents have also written in to complain about various aspects of the plan from the impact it will have on the nearby roads. The site is close to the busy Moonrakers roundabout and people are worried the problem will be exasperated by the development.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It is a nightmare getting out of our drive into Cricklade Road during morning rush hour traffic as well as turning into our drive in the evening.

“I cannot imagine the increase of 150-300+ cars extra a day and its impact on the traffic outside our house.

“I have already been hit outside my own house by a speeding inconsiderate driver who tried to squeeze passed me as I tried to get onto my drive.”

The application has been called in so will likely be decided at a full planning meeting at a future date.