THE FUTURE of one of Suffolk's oldest football clubs is in the spotlight after their ground was earmarked for a new housing estate.The home of Woodbridge Town has been identified as suitable land for a housing development under the Local Development Framework being drawn up by Suffolk Coastal District Council.

THE FUTURE of one of Suffolk's oldest football clubs is in the spotlight after their ground was earmarked for a new housing estate.

The home of Woodbridge Town has been identified as suitable land for a housing development under the Local Development Framework being drawn up by Suffolk Coastal District Council.

William Notcutt, managing director of Notcutts, confirmed that it had applied for the land to be zoned for housing.

He said: “The football club has a 25-year lease which expires in 2015 with the right to renew for a further 10 years - and Notcutts have the right to relocate it to another site in 2015 should they wish to do so.”

John Bennett, a life vice president of the football club, said it would be ''disastrous'' both for the club and the town if it had to move.

Mr Bennett said the club provided coaching for more than 300 boys and girls and it was effectively the biggest youth organisation in the town.

The new mayor, Les Binns, said: “This council supports the football club and that it retains the ground or else it is found a suitable alternative within the Woodbridge envelope.”

The town council voted to inform the district council that the football club site should be retained as a sports facility.