Nuneaton Borough FC has suffered a major set-back in its bid for league status after a planning application for a new stadium was refused.

The club needs to update its facilities by 2004 so they are the same standard as those required for entry to the football league.

Last night Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s planning committee voted to reject the club’s latest proposal for a £4.2 million stadium at Bermuda Park.

The ground would have had an initial capacity for 6,500, which could have increased to 1,000 in Nuneaton won promotion from the Nationwide Conference.

Residents queued up to speak against the proposal and convinced councillors to throw out the proposal.

Nuneaton Borough chairman Phil Clayton said the decision was a “major set-back” after 18 months of jumping through hoops laid down by the council.

He said:

”This is the second application that has been refused. Despite the council suggesting possible sites to us, they will not give us permission. It is the same group of councillors doing this.

“It makes you wonder if they want a football club in this town.”

Mr Clayton said members of the club board would meet tonight to discuss the next step.

He added that the people living nearby had missed a big opportunity:

“This would have been a community facility as well, for youngsters to develop on the sporting side and with social facilities available.”

Councillors praised the way the 18 speakers presented their points at last night’s meeting.

Cllr Julie Jackson, chair of the committee, said

"The committee was greatly assisted in this difficult decision.

“The committee heard from objectors to the proposal and also from its supporters. Many important points were brought forward, both from written contributions and by the persons who spoke at the meeting."