Residents are divided over a football club's bid to "fence off" large chunks of a local park as part of future plans to erect a "mini stadium".

Some people living near Heath Lane Open Space in Dartford are furious at Fleetdown United FC's proposals, saying it would "deny access" for hundreds of people.

But others have expressed support for the club's vision, amid reports of excessive littering and dog fouling.

Last year the club - which plays in the Kent County Premier, the 11th tier of the Football League - celebrated its 50th birthday. It is now looking to upgrade facilities to meet rising demand.

Under its wider development proposals listed on its website, the club plans to remove and extend 3G pitches, upgrade the car park and erect a "mini stadium" with floodlights and an incursion fence around the main pitches.

Dartford council has not yet received a planning application but is currently consulting on the fence proposals following an extension of the club's lease of the grounds.

If erected, the fence would stretch along the western boundary between the clubhouse and garden fences of homes in Roseberry Gardens.

The club says this is to protect the playing surface on non-match days from vandalism and allow it to install match-day equipment, dugouts and more permanent "structures".

But the planned alteration of the 3.1 hectare site has evoked a mixed response from locals.

Many residents point out the need to tackle anti-social behaviour amid reports of excessive dog mess, litter and broken glass.

However, others object to the fencing off of land which has been retained for public use for more than 80 years.

"This is for the public not just for the few," said Dartford resident John Tidy.

The 70-year-old added: "This plan will actually have an effect on hundreds of peoples lives, from those that are just walking there dogs to those who take their children over there.

"I have even noticed a number of older people who walk around the outside of the pitches for their daily exercise.

"All of these people will be denied access to what is land owned by us, the people of Dartford."

The retired engineer said he was not against the club's expansion and praised efforts to encourage more young people into sport.

But he objected to any perceived efforts to "commercialise" a publicly-accessible site, adding: "I'm quite happy to share the area but I'm not happy for them to take over half for themselves."

Mr Tidy also downplayed reports of anti-social behaviour on the grounds, suggesting they had been "exaggerated" to "sideline" the main issues and were largely down to opposition team players and fans.

"With all the rubbish you want to go over there on a Saturday and see what's left behind by the football," he added.

"I don't think it's the locals - it is the people who come in from outside."

Vanessa Newman also criticised the proposals in a post online.

She said: "Although I am aware that it is a good thing for children to exercise and football is a good way to do so, to fence off areas for the exclusive use of those who use it for only a few hours per week (mostly weekends), who also pay for that privilege, seems beyond unfair."

But many praised the club for its efforts to protect the pitches while advancing its sporting aims.

Sarah Marchant said: "The pitches and the grounds get trashed by people that don’t care.

"I do understand how people walk their dog everyday, fly a kite or whatever - again Fleetdown look after it and make it nice.

"I've been there in the holidays where football isn’t on, have a picnic and walked my dog for many years, but this has to been done I think, otherwise if you didn’t have Fleetdown look after it, it would be an absolute shambles."

Mum Laura Watts agreed, posting: "When my boys have played there it’s a joke - the dog mess, the litter, the burnt grass from BBQs and the broken glass."

Jamie Cadden, vice chairman of Fleetdown Utd FC said: “We are currently in negotiations with Dartford council regarding an extension to its leasehold on its premises at Heath Lane.

"As part of these negotiations Fleetdown United FC have requested that Dartford council consider a change to the existing boundary shown in the current lease.

"Fleetdown United FC have followed the procedures set out by the council throughout this process."

He added the club would look to submit a planning application for the fence should an agreement be reached over the amendment to the lease.

Dartford council says no decision has yet been made and it has recently extended its deadline for responses relating to the proposals for the fencing.

"The club has a growing number of players and an increasing diversity of teams..."

It comes after concerns were raised that some people were not aware of the consultation which concluded last Friday.

A statement from the council said: "The club has a growing number of players and an increasing diversity of teams and has recently launched a development plan to help it meet the demands it is facing.

"It wants to apply for external funding to help deliver those plans but that depends upon demonstrating that it has a sufficiently long lease.

"It approached the council in 2021 requesting an extension to its lease and the council was happy to agree in principle on the basis that it would help the club enhance its work with the community.

"At the same time, the club asked for landlord consent to erect a fence to prevent access to the pitch on non-football days with an aim to protect the playing surface and allow it to install match-day equipment, dugouts and club structures on a more permanent basis.

"We advised that the closure of any part of this public space, which has been held for the enjoyment of the public since 1937, would legally be defined as a ‘disposal’ and need to be advertised in the local press and subject to a consultation to allow any objections to be considered before a final decision be taken."

The council is encouraging everyone, whatever their view of the proposals, to respond.

Representations can be made in writing to Head of Legal Services, Dartford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1DR.

Alternatively, they can be emailed to FleetdownConsultation@dartford.gov.uk by no later than 25 April 2022 quoting Fleetdown – ref: SC/LS(5)el.