Maidenhead United Football Club has expressed its disappointment following a decision by the council not to give over land at Braywick Park.

The club released a statement saying it was “shocked” at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council’s refusal of the release of the council-owned land.

The park, which is one of the town’s key open spaces, had been earmarked as a spot for the club’s new stadium.

A spokesperson said: “Sadly, this decision will also have implications for the growth and impact of the programmes we deliver through our Community Trust including our wellbeing programmes, which support the most disadvantaged in our community and our plans to grow our disability provision.

“Maidenhead Athletic Club, no doubt will be equally concerned about the implications of this decision for their sustainability and growth given that they will not benefit from the improved facilities they need.

“As you would expect, we will now take some time to consider our position and our next steps.”

The club had previously agreed on a deal to acquire land at Braywick Park for a reported £460,000 in 2022. This came amid plans to move away from their historic York Road ground, which has been in use since the 1870s.

The council published an open space notice in spring 2022 which led to 22 public objections.

A spokesperson for RBWM council said: “Disposal of land held as public open space requires a statutory process, which the Royal Borough has followed for Maidenhead United FC’s proposal to relocate to Braywick Park.”

The added: “The core legal issue for the council is to balance any negative consequences of loss of public open space, having regard to the objections received, against the advantages of leasing the land.

“Cabinet has now carefully considered both sides of this important matter and decided the loss of public open space in this location outweighs the potential benefits of leasing to the club. This has been a difficult decision, based on considerations raised in the public objections.

“We appreciate this is not the outcome the club was hoping for and we would like to thank them for their patience while Cabinet took the necessary time to consider their proposal and the public objections received.”