A battle to replace a councillor who resigned amid controversy over Sandhurst Town Football club is underway, with Liberal Democrats and Conservative candidates going head to head.

Stephen Thomas resigned as a Conservative member of Sandhurst Town Council in September shortly after criticising leaders from his own party over decisions regarding the football club’s grounds.

The council agreed to a 30 lease with SB Group – which owns Sandhurst Town and Bracknell Town football clubs – to use the stadium at Bottom Meadow.

The lease means Bracknell Town has made the ground in Sandhurst its permanent home – despite fears and complaints from neighbours that the extra games bring increased traffic, parking and noise problems.

Mr Thomas was among those who raised concerns that some of the decisions on the lease were made behind closed doors by a private committee made up of a small number of Conservative councillors and the council’s executive officer.

In a post to Facebook in September, shortly before he resigned, Mr Thomas said that major decisions should be made in public. He added: “I, as a Conservative town councillor, do indeed hang my head in shame.”

READ MORE: Bracknell Town FC’s 30-year deal to use Sandhurst ground under fire

But Sandhurst Town Council denies that major decisions were made in private. In a statement released earlier this month said the decision to approve the lease was made in public by the council’s Strategy and Policy Committee.

It said that the smaller private group only existed to make urgent decisions between council meetings, and only oversaw the final stages of contract negotiations between solicitors. It added that it is normal for contract negotiations to be confidential.

The council’s statement said: “The lease agreement was confidentially negotiated and agreed upon, as per legal norms. This standard and lawful practice ensures the protection and fairness of negotiations for all parties involved.

“The decision to approve the lease was made by the Council’s Strategy & Policy Committee, as is standard practice for all council leases.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Nicky Coppins and Conservative candidate Gill Birch are set to contest the election for the Little Sandhurst seat on November 9.

Ms Coppins said she would aim to be “transparent and fair” if she was elected. She said: “I am aware of the very real local issues that require attention, and assure you that I do not view the situation through rose-tinted glasses. I’ve never shied away from difficult problems but always worked hard towards finding solutions.”

Ms Birch said she was “very proud” to be the Conservative candidate. She added: “I’m very looking forward to coming round and visiting you all on your doorstep to find out your ideas and views about what we should do on Sandhurst Town Council.”