We are sorry to inform residents that planning permission has now been granted for New College to build an artificial 3G pitch on Shrewsbury Rd Playing Fields.
We are sorry to inform residents that planning permission has now been granted for New College to build an artificial 3G pitch on Shrewsbury Rd Playing Fields.
Councillors and many local residents have opposed this bid from the start and the issues were brought before the Council’s Planning Committee in July by Councillors Steve Allsop and Abdul Amin. Both spoke against the decision at the meeting.
All Labour Councillors on the Planning Committee voted against the proposal but were out-voted by Tory and Lib-Dem councillors who were all in favour.
Our main concerns were:
We do recognise that New College faces severe funding challenges and needs to try to generate income to prosper as a college.
The bid was supported by Wiltshire FA and local football clubs who point to a lack of all-year-round good quality football pitches for child and youth teams.
As one councillor said “3G pitches are a great thing. But this is one great thing in the wrong place”
The pitch will be open to hire by football teams across Swindon when not in use by New College students. The scheme includes a Community Use Agreement which seeks to protect community access by fixing charges for 3 years. However it is unclear whether groups from the immediate community will get priority or preferential rates.
We hope to be able to work constructively with the college and Wiltshire FA to manage and increased demand for parking and to ensure that local people can access the facilities at affordable rates.
The site opening Hours will be :
Mon-Fri 09.00 am – 9.00pm , Sat-Sun 10.00am -10.00 pm
Officers have reassured residents that there will be no noise or light pollution due to the design of the site.