An ambitious housing project proposed to be built on Molesey FC’s grounds has received strong opposition from residents on what they claim is a “further strain” on public services and the surrounding area.

Your Local Guardian: Saved: Molesey will stay at their Walton Road home

An artist's impression of the development

The application submitted by Rushmon Homes and Paragon Housing proposes a three-to-four-storey housing block on the site in Walton Road.

It also plans for 22 flats on the upper levels, with the ground floor earmarked for non-residential institutions and assembly and leisure use.

The proposals also include a single-storey function hall and changing rooms, in addition to a further two blocks of 11 and six affordable flats.

To accommodate the housing project, the existing clubhouse would be demolished along with neighbouring houses on Grange Close, which are to be rebuilt and updated by Paragon Housing.

The proposal to date has received 49 objections.

An opposition Facebook page and a change.org petition with 117 signatures against the development has also cropped up.

Many of the objections cite a strain on public services, intrusion of privacy from the height of the tower blocks, noise pollution and antisocial behaviour as reasons for the project to be halted.

Alison Wilkinson, who lives nearby in West Molesey, started the petition.

She said: “I want Molesey FC to know that we do not wish to hinder their developments, but we are very against the size of the site and the impact it will have on parking and amenities.”

One objector who had recently purchased a home in Mole Place called the development “monstrous in size”, adding that they “probably would not have gone ahead” with the purchase of their home had they known about its true size at the time.

Another added the development would turn the site into a “sort of amphitheatre projecting added noise from the various non-football related activities”, in an objection found in council documents.

However, despite vocal opposition from some residents, the application has also received 56 letters of support, with many applauding the development for “bringing the football club into the 21st century”.

In recent years, the football club has suffered from financial troubles, but the sale of some parts of the ground hope to readjust the club’s position in the community as a permanent fixture.

A spokeswoman from Paragon Housing said: “The proposal helps Paragon bring forward its plans to redevelop some of its older housing stock and make better use of the land bringing forward a total of 17 newly built and genuinely affordable apartments for shared ownership purchase.”

Comments can be made on the planning application until November 13.

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