AN Okehampton resident is willing to give the town land to provide two new pitches — providing he can get planning permission for a bungalow.

Ron Arthurs, of Brightly Road, is willing to donate his ground near Knowle Bridge to Okehampton Argyle on the condition that he can build a bungalow in the corner of the field.

But in the draft local plan, which is currently out for consultation, this field is just outside the development boundary.

Chairman of Okehampton Argyle Football Club, John Domaille, is pursuing this 'generous offer' with the council.

Mr Domaille, who is also chairman of governors at Okehampton College, is hoping the borough council will extend the boundary so this much-needed facility can be allowed to happen.

'Okehampton, its youth and its football club would benefit considerably from this,' he said. 'The town is going to expand rapidly so we desperately need somewhere for the kids to go.'

The pitch facilities were already overstretched with more than 100 people wishing to play football at the club each week.

'With Okehampton College and Okehampton Argyle using the same ground in Simmons Park, the demand come February is colossal. We are bulging at the seams with kids wanting to play football and we need to give them the facilities they deserve.'

If Okehampton Argyle had its own ground, it would also stand a chance of attracting lottery money, added the chairman.

The man behind the offer said he had a chance to sell the land a few weeks ago for equestrian purposes but wished it to be used for the benefit of the town.

'Everyone else thinks I am stupid for doing it but all I want is a bungalow nearby so I can watch my grandchildren play football in my old age,' said Mr Arthurs. 'If I sold the field to the town ultimately it would cost the taxpayers money.'

The resident, who has been involved with Northlew Football Club in many roles over the past 45 years, said the chance of finding an alternative flat piece of land for a football pitch in Okehampton was virtually nil.

Borough council planning officer Chris Dunford said Mr Arthurs was offering something everyone would like — but providing he was given permission for something which was contrary to the council's policy.

'This particular problem would not exist if the boundary was moved. But that is something that has to be considered after the closing date for objections to the draft local plan which is October 23,' he said.

Mr Dunford added that the local plan would not be finalised for about two years and the only other option for Mr Arthurs in the meantime was to submit a planning application for a bungalow and football pitch anyway and see how it fared.

He said there was a serious issue of setting a precedent but it might be looked at favourably because of the 'desirable gain' for the town.

Land for sports purposes could be considered at a later date even if it were not designated in the Local Plan, he added.