An extra 3G pitch for football and rugby in Alton came a step nearer when Alton Town Council agreed to put a floodlit part of Anstey Park forward as the preferred site for it.

The process started on September 3 when the town council agreed to carry out a public consultation on whether Anstey Park, Diggers or Jubilee Fields was the most suitable place.

East Hampshire District Council had offered to locate such a pitch in Alton with the backing of the Football Foundation, which would provide the majority of the £1 million cost, and the Football Association, which would pay the £35,000 cost of a feasibility study of any preferred site.

At a public meeting in the Alton Assembly Rooms on September 17 the town council backed Anstey Park as the best option.

Many officials and players from Alton Football Club, Alton Rugby Club and Manor Colts Football Club were in the audience to hear a presentation by Sacha Nicholas of the Hampshire Football Association and Chloe Davanna of East Hampshire District Council.

A survey was held, with a deadline of September 29, and 412 responses were received - 390 online and 22 on paper - with 404 in favour of putting a football and rugby pitch in Anstey Park and just eight against. The main potential issues raised for the site were parking and drainage.

Cllr Matthew Kellermann said: “I’m completely committed to this. I think it’s the right thing for the town and it is something positive that Alton Town Council can achieve.”

Alton town mayor Cllr Annette Eyre added: “Thank you to all the football and rugby club people who really pushed this, because it’s important for the town.”

At a full council meeting on October 8 councillors agreed unanimously to their officers’ recommendation of taking forward assessment of Anstey Park as the preferred site.