A sports boss says there is a “desperate need” for a new artificial pitch in his community after rain stopped play for hundreds of footballers over the last five weeks.

Langton Green Community Sports Association is behind plans for a new £1.5 million all-weather 3G facility near Tunbridge Wells, which have sparked a huge debate among residents.

Some 450 comments, both for and against, have been submitted to the borough council ahead of its decision.

The association has applied for permission to replace the grass pitch at the Langton Green Recreation Ground in Speldhurst Road.

Chairman Guy Lambert said: “The land we are seeking to develop has been used as a football pitch for 35 years

“It’ll add another playing surface to Tunbridge Wells and it will be used extensively. We already have people committed to want to use it.

“For the last five weeks no sport has been able to be played on the surface because it has been waterlogged.

“So far we have spent more than £200,000 on drainage and trying to sort it but it is clay soil so it holds the water.

“We have more than 800 kids playing sport with us and not just football. I see the benefit of what social sport brings every day.

“There is a desperate need for plastic pitches if we are to get kids and adults exercising.”

Those opinions are shared by the vast majority of commenters.

David Jones of Great Footway, Langton Green, wrote: “Having been a resident of Langton Green for 15 years, and having seen my son play for Langton Green football club from the age of six through to 18, I would like to give my support to this proposal.

“The addition of this facility will make a real difference to the local children and their families who participate in and watch football.

“The amount of games missed over the years due to the weather is significant and this will attract even more children to Langton Green Sports Club.

“It is a centre of the local community and should be cherished by all.”

Gilian Macinnes of Ferndale, in Tunbridge Wells wrote: “This is a fantastic opportunity to improve the sports facilities in the borough.

“Unfortunately, the current pitches, even with the new drainage are not available be played on all year round or in the evening, and there are insufficient astro pitches of a reasonable quality in the rest of Tunbridge Wells.

“The creation of a floodlight astro pitches on this site will hugely improve the quality of the facilities in the club, and extend access as it can be used all year and, in the evenings, even in the winter.”

Yet there are some Langton Green residents against the plans.

Isobel Short, of Langton Road wrote: “I vehemently object to the disruption, disturbance and destruction of this area of natural beauty and the habitats it provides to a plethora of wildlife.

“This area is also used by many people of all ages from young families to the elderly to walk in nature.

“We live in the countryside for a reason and it's not to watch it get destroyed.”

Karen Masterson of Speldhurst Road said: “Whilst I am very much in support of creating more opportunities for inclusive sport that benefits physical and emotional well-being, I object to the location of this proposed development.

“There is a lot of support coming from people who live out-of-area, with the sense of 'it's a great idea, as long as it doesn't affect my local surroundings' about many of the comments.

“But in reality, I wonder if those so strongly in favour would feel the same if their communities were disrupted by noise, light, increased traffic, environmental impact, and inadequate parking conditions?

“As a resident in Langton Green, and in close proximity to the proposed development site, I am fully aware of the impact it will create.”

Though the majority of comments are in favour of the plans, the sway shifts the closer people live to the recreation ground. Of those commenting from within the parish, there is a 50/50 split, with 60% of those living a mile or less away opposed to the proposal.

Speldhurst Parish Council is against the plans due to fears over damage to the ecology, increased noise and light pollution, uncertainty over the impact on traffic and accessibility to the facility, and its opening hours.

It wrote: “The council recognises the importance of children playing sports and acknowledges it would be beneficial to have outdoor facilities which can be used all year round regardless of weather conditions.

“But after careful consideration, the council has concluded that the negatives associated with the proposed location outweigh the benefits and therefore objects to building a 3G pitch at this site.”

The council’s full comments and all other documents can be viewed via the Public Notice Portal.

The sports association is currently waiting for a decision from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.