INFLUENTIAL government body Sport England has waded into an argument over the future of a bowls club in Dartmouth Park – and have told the  Town Hall they must turn down a controversial scheme to use the land for a housing development. 

The body, which oversees the nation’s sporting facilities, has made a formal objection over a scheme by the directors of the Mansfield Bowling Club, in Croftdown Road, to build 21 homes on the land.

The group has written a strongly worded objection – and has poured cold water on the club’s claims that there is no need for a sports facility in the area and that using the land for sport was not viable.

The letter said: “There is a clear need for sports hall facilities. No evidence has been provided to indicate that the site has been marked on the open market for a reasonable amount of time. This would give council, community groups and educational providers [a chance] to consider the acquisition at a fair market value. Sport England is not satisfied that the case has been made that the land and building should not remain in sports use.”

The damning objection follows scores of others from neighbours, schools and sports groups in the area. 

Chairman of the Mansfield Neighbours’ Group Keith Northrup said: “The message from residents to the developers and MBC is clear: ‘leisure not housing’.”

Ideas for the land – which houses a once-pristine outdoor bowling green, tennis courts used by the Kenlyn Tennis Club, an indoor bowling green, two bars, changing rooms and meeting rooms – include combining sports clubs and schools in the area to build an all-purpose community centre.

Councillors representing the Highgate Ward queried who would profit form any development. Labour councillor Sally Gimson said: “This development is likely to be worth up to £24million – profits will be up to £10m. The constitution of the bowling club says that the money from any proceeds is to go to an amateur sports club or to the English Bowling Club.

“We want to be certain that that will be the case. Are any directors of the club are going to benefit personally?”

As well as the Sport England objection, the council have received scores other letters against the scheme. 

One of four letters supporting the project is from Adrian Pruss, a bowling club directors who has overseen the project. Mr Pruss wrote: “The development will be a marked improvement on the current rundown state of the site. The open space for access by the public and affordable housing is much needed.”