Clubs wishing to be part of the restructured South West Peninsula League next season must apply to the FA by December 31.

From the 2019-20 campaign the SWPL will be operating two divisions at Step 6, the same as the current Premier Division.

One will be called Premier West, which is expected to feature mainly clubs based in Cornwall; Premier East will accommodate mainly Devon clubs.

The restructure will affect South East Cornwall clubs Saltash United, Torpoint Athletic, Millbrook, Callington Town, Liskeard Athletic and Dobwalls.

In a statement, the South West Peninsula League says: ‘Once the full list of applicants is known it is important that the process of selecting them is transparent, so we have agreed the following process:

‘The two divisions will each operate under the control of the South West Peninsula League Ltd, who in turn operate under the auspices of the FA at Wembley and it’s Leagues Committee.

‘In pursuance of the National League System Regulations the yearly make-up of the divisions is governed by the FA, and any club may be required to move in a lateral manner to ensure an even distribution of clubs.

‘While it is expected that the Premier West will be mainly Cornish and the Premier East will be mainly Devon, this is not assured.

‘Clubs in Devon may be moved to an alternative Step 6 Division (Western League) and/or clubs not based in Devon and Cornwall may be moved into the SW Peninsula League – all such matters would be for the leagues committee to rule on and any decision would be appealable to that committee.

‘Assuming, however, that the initial constitution is filled by clubs in Devon and Cornwall, the following priority of allocating the maximum of 40 spaces is:

Priority Group One: Clubs who are this season operating in the SWP Premier Division and have not given notice to withdraw by March 31 or been promoted to Step 5 for the following season.

’Priority Group Two: Clubs who in “any other season” would be entitled to be in Step 6 – examples are any club relegated from Step 5, any clubs who would have been promoted from Step 7 and any club laterally transferred or placed in the division by the FA.

’Priority Group Three: Clubs who are members of SWP East or SWP West who hold (on March 31 2019) an FA Ground Grading of G or H including the installation of floodlighting.

’Examples include East and West clubs who were (or could have been) entrants in this seasons FA Vase.

’Priority Group Four: Clubs who are members of SWP East or SWP West who, on March 31 2019, can satisfy the league and the FA that they already meet FA Ground Grading H including active planning permission for any required works including the installation of floodlighting, and give assurances to reach G in full by March 31 2021.

’Should 36 or more clubs (maximum 40) be accepted from groups 1 to 4 inclusive, then no other clubs will be considered for membership.

’If less than 36 we may look at:

’Priority Group Five: Clubs who are members of SWP East or SWP West who, on March 31 2019, do not meet FA Ground Grading H, but can satisfy the league and the FA that they can meet FA Ground Grading G, including the installation of floodlighting, by March 31 2021.

’Clubs accepted under Priority Groups Four and Five will be required to provide a detailed plan and costings of the required work (including grants) and provide a written commitment to meet G in full by March 31 2021 and further accept that failure to comply will result in relegation at the end of the 2020/21 season irrespective of league position.

’Clubs in Groups 4 & 5 will not be eligible for promotion to Step 5 or entry into FA Cup or FA Vase, until such time as they have reached the required FA ground grading.

If spaces remain unfilled from Groups 1 to 5 only, then:

’Clubs in the feeder leagues with grounds achieving, or committed to achieve, Grade G by March 31 2021 may be considered.

‘Any such clubs will require the FA’s approval to be placed directly at Step 6 and need to provide a detailed background to justify such promotion, it is not sufficient for the SWP alone to allow promotion.

‘League positions of such clubs would also have to demonstrate an ability to compete at Step 6.’