Bexhill football club to fight plans for 77 homes on former Sidley Sports Ground
A Bexhill football club has voiced its opposition to proposals to build up to 77 new houses on a disused sports ground.
Sidley United FC is urging people to object to the plans.
Wards of London Properties has submitted a bid to demolish buildings on the site of Sidley Sports Ground, in Buckholt Lane, and build up to 77 affordable houses.
Sidley United FC and Sidley Cricket Club have called for new grounds to be provided as part of the proposed housing development.
In a statement on its Facebook page, Sidley United FC said: “Rother District Council has received plans to build 77 high-density houses on the former Sidley Sports Ground (Gulliver's).
“If this goes through it permanently wipes out any chance of our historic sports clubs returning home.
“Sidley United FC is a legacy club with a proud, successful history of winning trophies in the Sussex County League and representing Sidley at a high level.
“Today, because we were forced out of Gulliver's in 2013 our senior teams play out at Hooe recreation ground.
“Because that ground lacks proper league-regulated facilities for the Southern Combination League (previously Sussex County League) our teams have been starved of growth (unable to offer youth teams) and structurally held back in a lower competitive division.
“We need every player, supporter, sports club and resident to object and protect our playing fields.”
Residents have also voiced objections, commenting on the council's planning portal.
One said: “There is simply not adequate access to allow for this many new homes. The parking in this area is already at a premium and can often lead to blocked roads or blocked sight lines
“This is often made all the worse when there are roadworks in the area, as there's only one way in or out of the estate. When there are roadworks on Ninfield Road we often find a dramatic increase in people using Preston Road, North Road, and Glovers Lane as a diversion.
“Any building on this site would cause regular localised flooding. We already get flooding in roads and gardens at the lower end of the site, but the green space acts as a sustainable drainage system, keeping the impact to a minimum.”
Readers on the Observer's Facebook pages voiced concerns.
One said: “We don't have enough doctors or dentists, schools are overcrowded, and this piece of land was designated for sports use.”
Another suggested building 30 houses instead, along with a new sports and social club and an all-weather football pitch.
A design and access statement by Twenty 20 Architecture Ltd, on behalf of Wards of London Properties, said: “The proposal by Wards of London Ltd seeks to regenerate this underutilised land through a high-quality, landscape-led residential scheme delivering 77 new dwellings, all of which will be affordable, in a sustainable and accessible location.
“The proposed development places a strong emphasis on high-quality public space, with areas of open space and a network of landscaped streets that create an attractive and legible environment for residents and visitors.”
The application can be viewed online via the planning section of the Rother District Council website at www.rother.gov.uk/planning by searching under the reference number RR/2026/0468.