CAMPAIGNING residents are calling for the red card to be given to a major football centre earmarked for fields in Timperley.

Plans have been submitted for the Greater Manchester Football Centre to be developed at Manor Farm, on Ridgeway Road.

Residents - who have formed the Ridgeway and Districts Action Committee - claim the scheme would cause massive disruption to the area.

But the developers insist it will be a valuable facility that has widespread backing from the sports community.

The site currently has five football pitches and is used by Stockport County, Altrincham Juniors and Stockport Ladies.

The planned revamped site would have 11 football pitches, including an artificial pitch, and six small-sided pitches.

New changing rooms, floodliights and 120 car park spaces would also be provided.

The facilities would be able to cater for 38 teams, 33 more than currently regularly use the pitches.

The residents' action group wants planning chiefs to rule out this increase in the use of the centre.

They claim it will worsen traffic congestion on residential Ridgeway Road, cause noise and disturbance. and the floodlighting will be intrusive.

Group member Pam Greenall said: "This would be a nightmare, we are extremely worried."

But the agent and architect behind the scheme, Miles Pearson, said Greater Manchester Football Centre is a community interest company providing facilities that are needed in the area.

A travel plan was being developed to ease the traffic concerns, and on Sundays player numbers would be reduced by 120 to cut down on congestion.

Support for the proposals had been received from Trafford Sport and a variety of sports clubs, including Altrincham Juniors and Stockport County. A consultation event had been held with residents.

Mr Pearson said: "This will be a centre for all the community.

"To enable that to happen we need floodlights so it can be open to the public for longer hours."

Extra litter bins would be put on site and there would be control measures to stop littering, including fines. Users of the site would be reminded about noise levels.

* Any observations about the applications - 78056/FULL/2012 and 78057/FULL/2012 - should be submitted to the planning department by February 29. Send them to Trafford Council, Sale Waterside, Sale M33 7ZF, e-mail development.control @trafford.gov.uk, or log onto trafford.gov.uk and go to ‘environment and planning’.