A FOOTBALL club's dream of entering the Scottish Cup for the first time looks set to be dashed after planners objected to their plans to sell off their ground for housing.
Blackburn United FC were hoping to sell Murrayfield Park to fund a move to another site where they could build a modern seated stand.
That would have allowed them to meet the SFA's criteria for entering the Scottish Cup for the first time.
But
planning officials are advising West Lothian councillors to throw out the housing plans for Murrayfield Park due to the loss of the playing fields.
The club is understood to be "deeply disappointed" by the recommendation, which will be considered by councillors next week.
The run-down facilities at Murrayfield Park have been there since the 1960s and club members say they are no longer fit for purpose.
Vandals have also targeted the ground, including damage inflicted just days ago, ahead of the club's opening game of the season on Wednesday.
The club were hoping to move to another piece of open space owned by the council near the Murrayfield Park.
Ian McGinty, a committee member at the club and the vice-president of its Junior club, which has 130 members, said: "These proposals are something which the club believes will not only help take it forward, but will also be a huge benefit to the local community.
"We are a community club and the facilities we have at the moment are simply not good enough.
"If we were able to develop a new stand and new changing facilities, it would help us to get into the SFA and that would mean entry to the Scottish Cup and the associated financial benefits.
"More than that, however, is the pride which local youngsters would be able to take in their club, so instead of destroying the facilities, they would be encouraged to take part in the club."
The report by council officials admitted there was a willingness to work with the club to look at alternative proposals.
However, it also made it clear there was little hope of Murrayfield Park being used for housing.
As well as the loss of open space, council officials pointed out that secondary schools in the area would not be able to support the potential influx of pupils which would come from any new residential development.
David Forsyth, the council's head of property services, said in a report to councillors that the club should still be helped.
"There is a willingness to see the club's long-term future secured and, as such, council officers should continue to engage with club officials to identify a possible acceptable alternative," he said.
The club currently runs teams for more than 130 children aged from five to 21, and also has a full Junior team which competes in the East Region of the Scottish Junior Football Association.
The full article contains 493 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
