CONCERNS have been raised about whether a boys football club should be allowed to play on land regularly enjoyed by families.

Castle Point Council has offered Canvey Island Youth FC part of Leigh Beck Recreation Ground, on the seaward side of Canvey Island FC, off Park Lane.

The club is being forced from its current site, in Haven Road, to make way for the proposed £12million extension to Roscommon Way.

But the Leigh Beck land has a legal restriction dating back to 1934, stating the land must be kept in use for public recreation.

Castle Point Council says the covenant would not prevent the land being used by a sports club. However, some residents are clearly not happy.

Council chief executive David Marchant said: “A number of sports clubs in the borough, and indeed across the country, have similar arrangements with local councils.”

But residents living near the site, which would be fenced off if the club gets the go-ahead, say the deal would restrict access to the land regularly enjoyed by picnicking families and youngsters having kickabouts.

One resident, whose home overlooks the open space, said: “We understand there is a need for facilities for kids, but this is a well-used community area.

“There are lots of areas on the island they can go instead. The schools have got facilities, and so has Waterside Farm.”

In 2007, residents living close to the recreation ground fought off a plan to use the land for five-a-side football pitches by Canvey Island Youth, arguing it was not in line with the covenant.

One woman, living near to the recreation ground, said: “We want to make sure they know our reactions before they even think of doing anything like that again.”

The football club was originally due to relocate to another site in Haven Road, but that plan was scrapped after objections from residents and concerns from the Health and Safety Executive about major gas pipes running under the site.

Castle Point Council stepped into help, offering the youth club the land as an alternative.

Vice-chairman Michael O’Brien said the covenant had already been broken with the erection of Canvey Island FC’s Park Lane Stadium.

He added: “We have looked at Waterside, but it is such bad condition and the rents are too high.

“The club does a lot of good for the kids on the island, so I hope residents don’t object.

“I would happily give them all a key to the fence.”