COMPLAINTS to the ombudsman about Evesham United's plans to move to Cheltenham Road have been kicked out.

Green campaigner Keith Taylor has been told by a government ombudsman Wychavon's decision to pass plans for the relocation of the football ground from Common Road was not "unsound".

Mr Taylor from Cheltenham Road is a member of Ruralists against Green Erosion, (RAGE) which was formed after neighbours objected strongly to the plans.

In a complaint to the local government ombudsman last year Mr Taylor claimed he would suffer "injustice" if the scheme went ahead because of increased traffic and anti-social behaviour on match days.

He also said that a brownfield site should be used to house the football club rather than a greenfield site.

Ombudsman Brian Morris said the judgements of the council in reaching its decision were not unreasonable and the planning committee had properly considered the impact on local residents in May 2001.

He concluded: "The decision to grant planning consent has not been rendered unsound through administrative fault on the part of the council."

Wychavon's head of planning Jack Hegarty said: "The Ombudsman has fully vindicated the council's thorough and considered approach to this development and this closes the book on the decision."

Mr Taylor said: "I am not surprised at the decision - the ombudsman has no teeth anyway. There is a long way to go before the detailed plans are passed, and we intend to oppose them all the way."

Agent for the football club, Jim Powell said: "Wychavon has always dealt with the club in a just manner over two years of negotiations. The ombudsman's decision is to be expected - it's a pity that officers' time has been wasted in this way. I look forward to submitting detailed plans for the club in the not too distant future."

It is nearly 12 months since Evesham United was granted change of use for the ground, subject to a long list of conditions.

In order to proceed with detailed plans for a clubhouse, a main pitch and two practice pitches on the site, the club must sign a legal agreement that includes detailed landscape screening, highway improvements and an archaeological evaluation. The agreement should be signed within the next few weeks.