An all-weather, third-generation artificial pitch at Shaftesbury Football Club is a step nearer. And a new parking space for town centre workers looks more likely, too.

The majority of town councillors supported these interconnected projects on Tuesday.

Members voted to apply for a £350,000 government loan to support the club’s 3G pitch project. It will allow mud-free playing and potentially back-to-back matches and training sessions throughout the year.

But Cllr John Lewer was concerned about the town council taking on a debt over 30 years. And Cllrs Peter Yeo and Karen Tippins raised several objections to the project.

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