CHIPPENHAM Football Club has taken the next step in its quest to build a new 6,000-seater stadium on land at Forest Farm, near Pewsham.

Last week, the club made a request to North Wiltshire District Council to amend the Local Plan, which sets out what can and cannot be built in the area, during the next five years.

If the council agrees, the club will get the go-ahead to submit a planning application under the category of recreation and tourist facilities, for a new stadium, hotel and clubhouse, complete with gym and crche.

But while the club and its supporters are excited about the plans, it is most definitely a game of two halves, as the project's planner, Marc Willis of Willis & Co Chartered Town Planners in Station Hill, Chippenham, explained: "This is a very exciting stage of the project and as a Chippenham FC fan, I am thrilled to be part of it," he said.

"But there is still a long way to go and it could take it until 2006 to get through the planning process. That is why we are getting things moving ourselves, by putting forward this representation and launching a public consultation into the plans."

Mr Willis explained that both he and the club are urging the public to submit their views and opinions on the building of the site at Forest Farm on the A4.

An agreement has already been reached with local businessman and landowner Damien Coulter to purchase the land and during the coming months, the club is also planning to set up a working party and will hold public meetings and displays, for people to air their views.

"We think Forest Farm is an ideal site for the stadium but we want to hear whether people think it is a good idea, before we enter the serious realm of planning," said Mr Willis.

"We are sure that it is the right location, but we want to keep this process completely open and gain the public's backing. It would be pointless to make a planning application costing tens of thousands of pounds if the people of Chippenham don't agree with it."

Independent councillor Philip Allnatt is also keen to test public opinion.

"I think the plans are a good idea in balance, because they represent important development for the town in terms of bringing new jobs and creating new vitality," he said.

"But people do have viable concerns about traffic congestion, hooliganism and the effect of large crowds descending on the local environment.

"I believe that although this would be a new development, it does not have to be an ugly development.

"So the development needs to be an open process."

Chippenham Town currently leases its ground on the Bristol Road, from Chippenham Sports Club. But club chairman Malcolm Lyus wants Chippenham to be playing in the Nationwide Conference League within the next five years and does not think the present ground at Hardenhuish Park can be brought up to the standard required to qualify for the league.

He feels the ground and its facilities are no longer suitable for the team, which has earned considerable success in the last few years, including appearing at Wembley in the FA Vase Final in 2000 and promotion from the Dr Marten's Western division in 2001/2002 to the Dr Marten's Premier Division, where they are currently riding high.

Although Hardenhuish Park is close to the town centre and transport links, it is small and cramped and lacks off-street car-parking and coach-parking.

The Forest Farm site would seem to meet all the club's requirements in term of space and facilities and would be situated opposite the planned Chippenham Town Youth FC development at Wedmore Farm.

People with a view on the proposals are asked to contact Marc Willis at Willis & Co, Chartered Town Planners, Station Hill House, 1-5 Station Hill, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1EQ or e-mail him on willisplan@aol.com.