TOWN councillors have backed plans to re-site a bowling club whose members feared it might have to close.

Chess Vale Bowling Club says it needs more space and wants to move to Codmore Playing Fields, in Botley Road, Chesham.

Another reason for wanting to move is that one of its three bowling rinks at East Street is subsiding and it faced a £20,000 bill for levelling it.

Chesham town councillors voted on Monday to recommend that Chiltern District Council approve the application for a six-rink green with modern clubhouse and car parking. However, it also recommended that:

The building should be restricted to bowls club functions and further debate should take place on the positioning of the clubhouse and play equipment;

The footpath crossing the field should not be obstructed by parked cars.

An outline application for the new club was submitted to Chiltern District Council in January and was refused. Chess Vale Bowling Club appealed and submitted an application with detailed plans of the proposed clubhouse.

Town councillor Alan Walters said he supported the club in its proposal to move. He said: 'I'm satisfied their present premises are structurally unsound and they do need to move.'

Cllr Peter Yerrell said he had no objections to the scheme but advised that clubhouse layouts should be discussed with the planning authority.

Michael Wooster, representing more than 30 neighbours, said neighbours objected to the application on the grounds that the clubhouse would be on green belt land, there would be traffic and parking problems and a private club would deny public access.

It will be examined by Chiltern District Council on August 10.