People living near St Crispin's School are worried about an increase in noise and light pollution from the new multi-games area at St Crispin's School
advertisement
Neighbours protest against games area opening times plans
By Laura HerbertSeptember 18, 2012
Objectors have criticised plans to extend the opening hours of an outdoor games area claiming it will increase noise and light pollution.
People living near the multi-use games area (MUGA) at St Crispin’s School have lodged their complaints with Wokingham Borough Council after plans were put forward to extend its winter opening times.
Plans for the MUGA, which features four tennis courts at the London Road secondary, were given the go-ahead earlier this year as part of a £5.5 million investment at the school.
A further planning application has now been submitted to extend the opening hours of the MUGA during the winter from 7.30am to 9.30pm on weekdays and from 8am to 7pm at weekends.
One objector said: “Nothing has changed which would justify any extension of the hours, and the safeguarding of residential amenity remains as important and relevant now as it did when the original application for planning permission was determined.
“I (and others) objected to the original planning permission (so far as concerned to the MUGA) on the grounds of inter alia, noise and light pollution and those concerns remain. In its wisdom the local planning authority imposed conditions 12 and 13 for the protection of neighbours and that protection continues to remain necessary.
“No extension of the operating hours should be permitted.”
One couple suggested fencing should be put up between the school’s playing field and the rear of The Croft.
They said: “In the winter we have no screening from the trees at the back and we would be able to clearly see what is happening on the tennis courts.” Another objector added: “At present the floodlights are not installed and the MUGA is not in use.
“Until we can experience the effects of both use and light pollution it is premature to request an extension of these times.”
To comment on the plans visit www.wokingham.gov.uk and search for planning application VAR/2012/1553 by Wednesday, September 19.
Browse Sections
