A parish council has criticised a planning application for a new sports equipment storage facility in the village, claiming it is “in the wrong place”.

Hatfield Broad Oak Parish Council has said it intends to apply for planning permission for its own sports equipment storage facility, despite plans for a shed which would be used for the same purpose already being approved by Uttlesford District Council (UDC).

Plans for the erection of a shed for sports equipment and machine storage to be used for local sports teams on the eastern boundary of the village green in Hatfield Broad Oak were approved on June 20 by UDC. The application was submitted by landowner William Gosling.

But Ernie Fenwick, clerk to the parish council, said the shed would be in the “wrong place”, and the parish council, which objected to the plan lodged by Mr Gosling, would now apply for permission for its own storage facility which would be in be a “better position for use by the users of the field”.

Mr Fenwick said the council was aware that a new storage facility was needed.

It is understood that the parish council’s plan has yet to be formally submitted to the district council.

Previously, parish councillor Ken Swainsbury said in a letter to Uttlesford District Council that an entrance for the vehicles included in Mr Gosling’s plans would not be available to the applicant “under any circumstances”.

He said: “The entrance is on land the subject of 99-year lease (94 remaining) in favour of the Hatfield Broad Oak Parish Council which will not allow the entrance to be used by the applicant.”

Mr Swainsbury added that he thought that Mr Gosling’s successful application could lead to further building on the village green.

District councillor for Broad Oak and The Hallingburys, Councillor Keith Artus, who supported Mr Gosling’s application, said: “The parish council’s proposed machine and equipment store planning application is inappropriately located, does not have the support of the village sports clubs and would double up on a facility for which the landlord has already obtained permission and said he will facilitate. It is simply a further waste of council tax payers’ money.”