A ROW over whether Forest Green Rovers should build a children’s play area at its ground continues.

The club has lodged an appeal against Stroud District Council's decision to refuse to allow a Section 106 agreement to be discharged.

The agreement is a legal obligation, which requires an area to be set aside for youth recreation facilities at the New Lawn stadium.

FGR has been using the area of barren land as an overspill car park.

Despite planning officers recommending that the agreement be discharged and advising that it was likely to succeed on appeal, Stroud District Council's development control committee refused the request at a meeting on Tuesday, January 14.

Now, FGR has launched an appeal to the Secretary of State because SDC 'took into account irrelevant and incorrect considerations' and 'failed to provide full reasons for their decision'.

FGR says the MUGA has never been identified on the Local Plan, that planning permission for a MUGA is highly unlikely to be granted and there is no need for the facility at the location.