SPORTS clubs are fighting plans to put a road across playing fields as part of a 2,500-home development in Grove.

Persimmon Homes wants to move Denchworth Road to cut through the recreation ground by Cane Lane as part of plans for housing on Grove Airfield.

Youth football club Grove Challengers which uses the ground for training has been told it can use fields in the new development.

But it fears this would be a safety risk for its 150 members who would have to cross the road to get from their clubhouse.

It also fears its £15,000 clubhouse, built three years ago, would become redundant.

Club secretary Pam Stokell said: “The main concern for the club is safety issues.

“But it’s also the fact our clubhouse will become obsolete. That was such a huge fundraiser – it meant so much to the club to have a permanent base.”

She added: “We are not against the development at all but we are concerned our temporary facilities should be there and equal to what we have, before the development goes ahead.”

The scheme will see the village’s population double and includes a supermarket and shops, library, community facilities, two primary schools,a secondary school, and large areas of open space.

Club chairman John Stilwell added: “All we are trying to do is make sure we have the facilities back in place before they decide to destroy the training pitch.”

The full development is expected to take 15 years to complete if planning permission is granted.

Grove Rugby Football Club, which also uses the recreation ground, has also lodged an objection to the plans. Richard Briggs, managing director for Persimmon Special Projects Western, said: “We are liaising with Grove Challengers FC and the local authority to understand the club’s concerns.

“We hope to find an amicable resolution as soon as possible.”

Vale of White Horse District Council spokesman Andy Rob-erts said: “Officers have been conducting fortnightly meetings with the applicants and their agents to address all the issues arising from the application.

“Once all these matters have been resolved, it is anticipated that the application will be presented to the council’s planning committee later in the year.”