NATIONAL developers are in a bidding war to get their hands on Falmouth's football club ground, which is on the market with a price tag of £2.4 million.
More than 70 houses could be built on the Bickland Park site when Falmouth Town AFC finds a new home, although it could take up to two years to 'bed in' a new pitch.
Planning laws also state that the successful developer will have to fund the relocation of the football pitch facility before it can start building on the land.
Tim Smart, director of Stratton Creber Commercial, which is acting as agent for the sale, said the company has had "several offers" from national house building companies since it put the 4.5-acre site on the market last week, adding: "We hope to sign a contract fairly soon."
In November the town council's strategic planning committee recommended refusal the of plans for 154 homes along Bickland Water Road because it would take up valuable agricultural land and add to the congestion of an already busy road.
Vicky Eva, Falmouth town councillor for Trescobeas ward, who sits on the planing committee, said: "That road (Bickland Water) is really busy and what everybody is concerned about is the volume of traffic increasing.
"But in principle we need more affordable housing.
"Something needs to happen to that land and it would be better to use that land as the football club already used it."
David Saunby, Falmouth town councillor and Cornwall councillor for Trescobeas ward , said: "It is on the end of an existing estate so I would not say it is a bad thing provided the local people get a bite of the cherry."
When it relocates to a new site, Falmouth Town AFC will have to offer more than just a football pitch in order to survive, according to Mr Smart.
"They need to have other sports partners to wash their faces," he said.
"The football club will still be in existence but there will be other sports to help it progress.
"There will be training pitches for several other sports who want to partner with it.
"It is not all about football. It is about providing other sporting facilities and training pitches."
Mr Smart said that Falmouth Town FC had "several sites" in mind for a new home, but would not identify any of them.
He refused to comment on whether one of the proposed sites was the Falmouth Academy development, which was given the green light by Cornwall Council last week.
An attempt to sell the club's ground two years ago was aborted.
Mr Smart said: "They didn't have the right people place then. This is a completely different club with different members."
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