Marlborough Rugby Club has been denied the go-ahead to extend its clubhouse on The Common.

The club said it was disappointed Wiltshire Council refused permission for side and rear extensions to the club house and a car park extension onto common land, especially as the plans were supported by the town council.

The reasons for refusal were the loss of common land if extra parking was permitted; insufficient information about highway implications; the extended car park would be detrimental to the setting of the Grade II listed former workhouse (St Luke’s Court) and the proposed building extensions would jeopardise the health of boundary trees.

There was a barrage of objections from residents in retirement apartments in neighbouring St Luke’s Court, from St John’s Close and Kingsbury Street.

One St Luke’s resident said in his letter of objection: “The corner with the postbox, entrance to St Luke’s Court, access to Merlin Court (care home) and Hyde Lane is already a very busy, dangerous area for residents here, many of whom use walking aids.”

Philip Mickleborough, from Kingsbury Street, said: “The Common should be available for all the 7,000 residents of Marlborough and parts should not be enclosed for the benefit of a few tens of them.”

Opponents also feared that more traffic would be generated if the club expanded.

In a statement the club said: “We are studying the decision of Wiltshire Council and will work with our advisors to re-submit the application, which we anticipate will address the concerns raised.”

One of the club’s leading players, estate agent Chris Patterson, said: “If the club is not allowed to expand it could well be the end of it. The club house is nowhere near big enough, there is not enough parking and I think a lot of the younger players might well look elsewhere where they have better facilities to play in future.”