A PLANNING row has broken out over a football club expansion.

Managers at Bush Hill FC on Kendal Avenue have applied to build a screen fence with gates around their pitch.

They say that to progress to the next stage of the Football Association’s Hampshire League they would need to upgrade their ground – which would include “fully enclosing the playing areas, provide safe standing and seating for spectators”.

And the club – who are leaseholders of the land – say their spot at the top of the Hampshire Premier League “warrants further progression”.

They point out that they regularly achieve attendances of up to 60 spectators with a record 240 at the final game of the 2016/2017 season.

But residents have objected to the applications – with one saying it could be a “back-gate to build on this green field which has been put aside for the community”.

Others have voiced concerns about parking while another said: “It will be left for the local residents to suffer the onslaught of a once or twice weekly disruption to their lives brought on not only by the football, but by the drinking that will obviously continue in the pub after the match has finished.”

Containers used as changing rooms on the field at Mansell Park have been called “an eyesore”.

There will be a public meeting to discuss the planning application tonight at 7pm in the MP3 Community Hall in Mansel Park on Evenlode Road.