Neighbours' concerns over Weaverham High School's 3G pitch plan

Weaverham High School is seeking permission to build an all-weather sports facility complete with floodlights, hardstandings and fencing.

Following meetings with residents, councillors and the planning officer, a revised application was submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council in July.

However, these plans are still not being received well by nearby homeowners, with many raising concerns over noise, light pollution, traffic, wildlife, and anti-social behaviour.

These issues are heightened by the fact the site would not only be used by the school, but also by clubs such as Witton Albion, Cuddington & Sandiway JFC, Weaverham YFC, and the Cheshire Autism Practical Support charity.

A letter signed by five residents of Holly Road, and one more from Poplar Road, submitted on August 9 reads: “The opening hours of the proposed facility mean we could be faced with noise from early in the morning until late at night seven days a week.

“The installation of this site will create a large glow from the flood lighting and will show for miles around.

"The traffic around school times is so bad we must plan when we access our property around these times. While we appreciate the volume of traffic will not be as high as school opening/closing it will still cause an issue."

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Several residents of Holly Road have raised objections (Image: Google Maps)

According to a noise impact assessment carried out by NBAcoustics, the pitch will be used from 8am to 10pm on weekdays and 8am to 6pm on the weekend.

The planning application states the area proposed for development is 'unplayable for the majority of the year and suffers from significant drainage issues'.

It also notes there is a need for such a facility in the area, with a waiting list for the 3G pitch at Moss Farm.

"The proposed synthetic sports pitch offers a space for both the school and the local community to play football and rugby throughout the year, inclusive of winter months," reads the planning statement submitted by Smith Construction, on behalf of the school.

"During winter, particularly wet months, the pitch would ordinarily become inaccessible or unusable due to the wet ground becoming muddy."

Several other residents of Holly Road submitted comments via the council’s planning portal.

One, a former Weaverham High School pupil who has lived there since 1994, said: “I feel this is not going to benefit Weaverham villagers but would open up to a wider, possibly uncontrollable, set of visitors, the result of which would be unsettling particularly when considering the hours of use still being portrayed within the plan, leading to anti-social behaviour.”

Another added: “This is the second planning application that has been submitted for the same thing. Nothing has changed from the first.

"The main reason I want to appeal against this planning application is the impact it will have on the environment. The noise pollution and the light pollution."

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The new pitch would be used by community groups and local football clubs (Image: Google Maps)

Head teacher Clare Morgan said she believes the revised application addresses these concerns raised and feels the facility will be of a benefit for the whole community.

Ms Morgan said: "Following submission of the initial planning application for a 3G pitch that will transform the opportunities for both Weaverham High School pupils and the local community, Weaverham High School facilitated meetings with residents, the planning officer, parish councillors and ward councillor Gillian Edwards in order to address concerns raised.

"Following these meetings a revised application recognising these concerns was submitted.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to provide both a school and community a world class facility, funded partly by the school and by the FA.

"This will benefit thousands of children and young people and is very much in line with Government policy. It is an opportunity not to be missed which will benefit children and young people for years to come."