PLANNING issues and funding problems are causing major setbacks to Overton Recreation Centre's ambitious Proj-ect Berrydown.

The £700,000 project, which aims to provide Overton Rugby Club with a new home by 2004, includes building a replacement sports pavilion with shower and changing facilities and the development of two rugby pitches and a football pitch.

But a dispute over the siting of the pavilion and Sport England's decision to reduce its grant means the project may not be completed in time.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council granted outline planning permission last August, with the pavilion sited at the bottom end of the site nearest the road. The Berrydown sub-committee wants it moved to the opposite end but the borough is adamant it's built as originally agreed.

Committee chairman Alan Turner said: "We don't want players crossing the car park to reach the rugby pitch. We have up to 100 mini-rugby players from the age of five and asking them to cross a car park is totally unnecessary."

Mr Turner says the planning officers are refusing to allow the move because of its impact on the visual landscape but he believes safety must come first. The committee is also dealing with the news that Sport England has reduced its original agreed contribution of £282,000 to a maximum of £100,000, payable in 2005, making a serious financial impact on the viability of the project.

The borough council has purchased the ground and is leasing it back at nil rent, while farmer Richard Gibbons, who sold the land, saved the committee £40,000 by laying and levelling the pitches as a donation.

But despite massive efforts by the committee, which has already beaten its own £100,000 fundraising target, and commitments from other organisations, the total raised so far is only £280,000.

Mr Turner said: "The pitches will be ready to play in autumn 2004 but there will be no changing rooms and clubhouse unless we can solve these two problems."