School pitches a fresh plan for football

NEW plans for a new all-weather pitch at Yew Tree Community School in Chadderton have been submitted.

Proposals to upgrade the Alcester Street school’s existing site include a new artificial surface and floodlights.

New fencing and changing facilities are also included in the plans.

School head Rais Bhatti said: “We will soon have 800 pupils at the school and this will be crucial in getting them involved in sport.

“We want to get local football teams involved and are keen to create something not just for the school but for the wider community.

“We see this as a positive thing and all being well we hope to have permission by the new year and we hope that work will start by 2016.”

Original plans for four pitches raised concern among residents over late-night use, traffic and light problems.

Marilyn Camus (59), who lives in Gordon Avenue with her husband Serg, said: “I have lived here for 30 years and I’ve never had a problem with the school or the playing fields.

“I don’t mind the children from the school using it and I would never object to that but I am worried about it being rented out until 10pm to grown men in football leagues.

“If it is noisy and the floodlights are on all night it will take away our privacy and I think it is very unfair. This is a residential area and I’m sure there are other sites around Oldham which would be better suited.”

The plans state that all new lighting will be fitted with low-glare hoods.

The work will not affect any of the buildings and will not involve machinery movements or other works outside of the site area.

Mr Bhatti added: “We have spoken to local residents, who have raised concerns over anti-social behaviour on the current pitch but we feel the new facilities and the fact it will be floodlit will combat this.

“We are keen to work with the community and hope this will be a good thing for the school and the area.”