by Alan McGuinness

Opponents of Gillingham's new stadium plans have launched a petition against it, saying the development would deprive the area of a tranquil green space.

The Gills have earmarked a site known as Mill Hill, off Yokosuka Way, Gillingham as the location for a 15-18,000 seater stadium.

The project includes a supermarket, petrol station, fast food restaurants, fitness centre, shops, nursery and tennis academy.

Chairman Paul Scally said the scheme is the last hope for the club if it wants to remain in the Towns.

The Medway Messenger had the first pictures of the club's grand scheme last month, and the designs have sparked a reaction from both fans and residents.

Danny Dancy, of Ladds Corner, Eastcourt Lane, has signed the petition and has been gathering signatures.

He estimated the document has 200 signatures so far.

Mr Dancy said: "Everybody's against it down here and we'll be very much affected.

"This area is mostly green and we really don't have enough green spaces across the area."

Residents have also written to ward councillors David Carr (Con) and Vaughan Hewitt (Con).

Mr Scally claims that Peel Port's £650 million plan for Chatham Docks in nearby Pier Road will scupper the Gills' hopes of remaining in Medway.

This includes an Asda superstore, and Mr Scally says that is the club's problem with the project.

He says a supermarket is needed to finance the stadium at Mill Hill, but having two stores so close to each other would make his plan unworkable.

In last week's Medway Messenger we reported horse owner Sharon Spencer, who owns part of the land, only found out about the plans after reading about it in the Medway Messenger.

A Gillingham FC spokesman said last week: "Negotiations are taking place with all landowners"