DISGRUNTLED Bradford on Avon Youth FC members have started a petition after their sports hub idea was not included in the 2016 neighbourhood plan.

Plans for a community sports and recreational hub, preferably at the Beehive Field, is not on the neighbourhood plan’s 2016 agenda as it was seen by the town council as misleading.

In reply, an online petition has been started, gaining more than 300 signatures in less than a week for the club which has 400 junior players and currently pays £11,000 to hire out sites at 14 different venues.

“If this issue doesn’t make it on to their agenda, that could be curtains for this proposal so it is crucial that we get our message out there as it affects a lot of people,” said Bradford Town YFC chairman Dave Bolwell.

“This proposal should get a mention and be discussed. Their negativity towards this has got us on the offensive.

“This is a powerful document that has a big impact on the town and we would like to at the very least get a mention but the council don’t believe our plans are detailed enough.

"Hopefully this petition can help. We thank everyone for their support and hopefully it can gain some momentum.”

In response to the club’s protests, the town council said: “We regret to say the information posted in relation to the sports hub is not correct and the impression given is misleading.”

“Discussions are ongoing on the Bradford on Avon Neighbourhood Plan. This is a collaborative exercise by the wider community with the town council. The draft plan will include a range of positive policies and will be subject to full consultation early in 2016.”

At present the club uses schools, town council grounds and Bradford on Avon Rugby Club for training and matches. These are liable to flooding, cancelling many games.

Plans for the new state-of-the-art sports hub could include Spencer Moulton Bowls Club and the town’s archery, table tennis and cricket clubs.

It would aim to include a sports club building for social, meeting, changing and storage areas as well as encompassing different sports.

Mr Bolwell added: “We stress that we want a working, civil relationship with the council. All we want is to have our voices heard and tell the public about this proposal. If it gets rejected then so be it but at least give it a platform to let people know.”

The consultation for the neighbourhood plan will take place in the first quarter of 2016. To sign the petition visit https://www.change.org/p/bradford-on-avon-town-council-boa-town-council-please-include-the-sports-hub-on-consultation-for-the-neighbourhood-plan