A FOOTBALL club in one of the borough's most deprived areas could be forced to sell part of its ground to make way for a major new development.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's executive has agreed, in principal, to issuing compulsory purchase orders to buy back three leases around the Merland Rise Recreation Ground in Preston.
It's to allow for a scheme to regenerate the area – which includes plans for a new leisure centre, community facilities and 450 homes. But the site includes part of the area currently leased to Banstead Athletic Football Club, which has so far failed to reach a deal with the council.
Councillor Adam de Save, executive member for leisure, told Thursday's council meeting the move was "absolutely critical" to delivering the development.
"We cannot afford to let the regeneration of Preston slip," he said.
The new leisure centre is scheduled to be open by July 2014.
Compulsory purchase orders will allow the council to acquire part of the football club's training ground, plus the Phoenix Youth Centre and the Tattenhams Community Association hall.
Former professional footballer and councillor for Nork, Norman Harris, who has been on the club's board for 20 years, slammed the move.
He told executive members: "You are going to have a real battle on your hands if you don't sort something out."
He welcomed the provision of the leisure centre, but said the council's approach to the football club was "appalling".
The football club has planning permission to build eight new mini-football pitches, but that development is on hold. Speaking after the meeting, club chairman Terry Molloy said he hoped the club could co-exist with the development.
"We are still negotiating for a settlement," he said. "We have got a lease there, why should we go? They can't get rid of us.
"I have had a dream for 20 years at that club. I have been negotiating for 20 years to have some kind of football academy up there for kids. That dream is on hold until the final decision."
But councillor Natalie Bramhall, the council's executive member for regeneration, said "the whole reason" the club had stalled negotiations was "just down to one thing – which is money".
"We are trying to deliver another nice leisure and community centre in Preston which is what the residents deserve and we are trying to work with the football club," she said. Compulsory purchase orders would be issued as a last resort, she added.
The facilities provided at the Surrey County Council-owned community hall and youth centre will be replaced as part of the new development.
Negotiations continue.
