Local football teams in Blackbird Leys have expressed strong objections to the removal of playing fields at a recreation area where a major residential development is moving forward.

Oxford City Council approved plans last week at a cabinet meeting to transform Sandy Lane Recreation Ground in Blackbird Leys into a significant affordable housing development.

The £97.6 million project will construct 331 dwellings on the site, which was selected due to its proximity to the planned Cowley Branch Line development.

However, the removal of two 11-a-side pitches, one nine-a-side pitch and one seven-a-side pitch at Sandy Lane has become a highly disputed matter among the community clubs that use them, despite the council’s assurance that alternative pitches would be provided.

Sandy Lane serves as the home ground for Greater Leys Football Club, and the city council has committed to offering upgraded facilities, including a pavilion, at Herschel Crescent in the vicinity.

A club representative stated that the primary worry revolves around losing Sandy Lane as essential green space. The spokesperson noted it functions as more than just a base for Greater Leys Youth FC, serving as a focal point for numerous community activities and a treasured local amenity. They expressed disappointment about relocating from a location with significant community connections. However, they acknowledged the council’s pledge to provide new and upgraded facilities. They indicated that while this appears promising in principle, their backing hinges on whether these upgrades are genuinely delivered to a sufficient standard that addresses the requirements of their players and the surrounding area. The spokesperson mentioned they are engaged in ongoing discussions with the council to safeguard both the club’s future and the community’s access to quality green space.

The club indicated its committee is evaluating the council’s proposal and will determine its stance shortly.

Sandy Lane also accommodates other local football clubs, including Oxford Blackbirds FC, which is based at Blackbird Leys Park off Cuddesdon Way but utilises the Sandy Lane pitches for additional fixtures and local matches.

Stuart Parsons, who has led Oxford Blackbirds FC for over ten years and spent most of his life involved in grassroots football, described the situation as ridiculous. Parsons stated this represents bad news for football overall, acknowledging the necessity of housing while questioning its relevance to this particular situation. He observed that the volume of football pitches lost in Oxford over the past 15 years is staggering. He cited the disappearance of Oxfordshire’s Sunday leagues, including Oxford Morrell’s, the Upper Thames Valley Sunday League and, most recently, the Trailblazers League which ceased operations abruptly in January this year.

Parsons noted an apparent connection between the persistent decline of grassroots football and rising concerns regarding men’s mental health. He expressed concern that community provisions where young men would typically engage in physical activity are being removed.

He further stated that Oxford Blackbirds have been disregarded in the provision of alternative pitches, and in his view, relocating matches to the new pitches supplied by the council would be impractical for certain children at the club.

According to the chairman, city councillor for Blackbird Leys Linda Smith has offered nothing but support to the club, including assistance with funding. However, he noted he remains sceptical of any other assurances provided by the council, stating the Blackbirds receive nothing.

At last week’s cabinet meeting, Smith expressed her commitment as both a cabinet member and local councillor to ensuring not merely the provision of alternative pitches, but that affected local teams, including Greater Leys football club and the Blackbirds football club, receive upgraded facilities to benefit from. She emphasised this point repeatedly.

The council indicated the new pitches will be established prior to commencing any construction at the Sandy Lane site, with completion anticipated by summer the following year.