A football club has sought to reassure park users and dog walkers over the re-emergence of controversial plans to “fence off” part of a park.

Fleetdown United Football Club first revealed plans to build an “incursion” at Heath Lane Open Space in Dartford back in 2022.

It argued this was necessary to protect the existing playing field from yobs and dog poo.

However, park users and dog walkers at the time said it would “deny access” for hundreds of people living in the area.

The plans ended up being rejected as a fence would have “restricted access to the public.”

But now, the club has resubmitted plans to fence off part of the field which it says will benefit “numerous organisations”, including local primary and secondary schools, and ensure the whole community can “coexist”.

The fresh blueprint involves the creation of a 106m x 70m ”3G stadia artificial grass pitch” with associated fencing, floodlights, and drainage infrastructure.

Two new spectator stands would also be built.

The proposed pitch is located in the south of the existing grassed playing fields associated with Fleetdown United FC.

A noise impact assessment found the development would “potentially be noticeable” but not intrusive and would result in “no observed adverse effect”.

The new fencing around the pitch perimeter would be 4.5m high, with the proposed floodlighting columns being 16m high.

The design and access statement says: “The proposed development will implement better provision in terms of quality and quantity and in a suitable location to benefit the community and provide access and opportunities for sport and recreation, making an important contribution to the health and well-being of the local community.”

It adds the plans will create “social, recreational, and cultural facilities and services for community needs to enhance the sustainability of the football club and the local area”.

The club also says it would encourage and inspire more people of all ages to participate in sport.

So many young boys and girls would benefit from this

A spokesperson for Fleetdown United Football Club said: “The proposed development at the site will not only benefit the football club in its player development and progression but is also aimed at local community organisations including local primary and secondary schools, mental health and disability providers and others who will utilise the proposed development when the football club are not using the facility.

“Schools in particular have lost a lot of their outside space and this facility will allow boys and girls of all ages to enjoy the space, in all weathers, for multi sport physical education, which is proven to aid mental health, supports brain development, bone strength, muscle control, balance and coordination, and helps to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Included in the plans are numerous organisations that it says will benefit from the proposed development and “extensive research” has been carried out and reports with regards to “ecology, lighting and noise pollution”.

The club representative went on to add that the new plans are aimed at coexistence.

“Previously the residents and local users demanded that any future plans enabled the whole community to co-exist at the site and we believe that this planning application allows just that,” they said.

“No rights of way across the site will be blocked and local users will still have access to the public open space for dog walking and other activities.

“The only fencing to be installed will be around the pitch and is purely there to protect the asset from damage, anti-social behaviour and abuse.”

However, several people living in the area have once again raised concerns over the plans.

One said: “Yet again they are try to steal a public field. Why they just cannot share is beyond me. Dartford is turning into a no-zone area with very little green space.”

Another person living close to the land said: “This proposal would be a detriment to the local residents and community.

“This field is used frequently by members of the public for walking and other activities. Losing more green space would be a travesty.

“The football season also only runs for part of the year and this therefore this area would be inaccessible for people wanting to utilise it at all times, which seems unnecessary.”

Others raised concerns over factors such as light pollution from the new flood lights, as well as the potential of increased noise levels. Issues over parking were also raised.

As well as this, residents questioned the impact the plans will have on wildlife in the area.

One person said: “The grass fields are used by residents in the local area for exercise and recreation activities and are a popular space for dog walking.

“The area is home to various wildlife and their habitats would be destroyed.”

However, many have supported the plans with one worker from Wilmington Grammar School for Boys saying: “As a school we have had many students who play for Fleetdown FC.

“The club has said that we would be able to use the planned pitch for our sixth-form football fixtures on Wednesday afternoons. This would really support our school team’s development and would beneficial for the local community.

“So many young boys and girls would benefit from this.”

Another person added: “These exciting and innovative plans will open services to a greater number of children – both in and out of school time.”

The club will be hosting several consultation meetings with the public where information will be shared and any questions about the project can be answered.

They will be taking place on Thursday (February 20) from 6.30pm, on February 26 from 7.30pm, on March 8 from 11am and on March 9 from 11am.