“This sticks two fingers up at biodiversity net gain.”

Those are the words of one objector to plans for a new cycle path at Donnington Recreation Ground.

The controversial scheme, submitted by Oxford Direct Services, was initially permitted by Oxford City Council's planning committee in October last year.

However, it was permitted for a second time on Tuesday, October 15 after some changes were made. 

The proposal split opinion with 14 objections and 49 supporting comments. The main objection was over the removal of trees.

However Donnington Football Club said the changes were needed to provide them with more football pitches. 

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Donnington Recreation Ground scheme (Image: Oxford City Council) Objector Dominic Woodfield said: “I and many others who have objected actually support the objectives this application seeks to achieve. We want to see an end to Donnington FC's woes. 

“However, the design before you seeks the removal of 20 important trees. This will blast a hole in the tree line. 

“This sticks two fingers up at bio-diversity net gain in the planning system in the last 18 months.

"I ask you to do better than this. You should ask the applicant to come back with an improved design.”

The planning officers disputed the claim that 20 trees would be lost, saying it would be a maximum of 12. 

Tim Foster, from Donnington FC, said: “We play on the Donnington Rec Ground, we have 13 teams and around 200 players. Our limitation is currently pitch space as some of our teams have to play elsewhere. 

“We also have a waiting list of players at the moment. This is the only option that satisfies the needs of the club. This would give us 30 per cent more pitch space, which equates to three more football pitches. 

“This would ultimately lead to more children playing football.”

In the planning officers' report, it said: “The proposed path and associated works would not have any adverse impacts with regard to visual or residential amenity.

"It is considered that any harm that would arise from the removal of the trees to facilitate the development has been mitigated through additional tree planting on site.

"The proposed development is not considered to have a detrimental impact on ecology and would achieve a net gain in biodiversity in accordance with national and local planning policies.”

Councillor Alex Hollingsworth said: “I would very much like to see a cycle track here. I completely sympathise with the applicant and the need for this. But I think it's a breach of policy, so I won't be supporting it.”

However councillor Jemima Hunt said: “I know this area well. We need these football pitches.”

The application was permitted with seven votes for, two against and one abstention.