Battle over pitch at school

WORK to build a controversial artificial sports pitch at Crompton House School will begin next year despite objections from local residents.

The £955,000 all-weather pitch will not only be used by pupils at the school but will be opened up to the wider community.

But angry residents say the new pitch will have a negative impact through light pollution, noise and traffic problems and have vowed to continue to fight its construction.

The school remain steadfast that the pitch will boost sporting success and providing a huge asset to the community.

The pitch will replace the existing shale surfaced area (pictured) within the playing fields and will be funded with £500,000 from the Football Foundation, £55,000 from Heyside Juniors and £400,000 from the school.

A school spokesman said: “Our shale pitch gets dry and dusty in summer then in winter it becomes a muddy mess.

“We have some of the best footballers in the area and we believe our players deserve a better surface than this.

“Other schools have similar pitches through the Building Schools for the Future fund, but this funding was withdrawn after the General Election and we are working with Manchester FA to make up the shortfall.”

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, who visited the area to canvas the views of local residents, said: “By canvassing I was able to get a fuller picture of the residents’ views, gauging levels of support and opposition.”

The new pitch will be situated 12 metres further back from neighbouring properties than the current one and access will be on Rochdale Road.

Residents raised concerns over the potential effects of noise from extra people and light pollution from the floodlights, but the school dispelled this.

The spokesman added: “To obtain FA funding we needed to open up the pitch for the community to benefit from our facilities.

“All our users will have to adhere to a code of conduct and the pitch will not be used after 9pm.

“To comply with FA regulations, we need to allow the pitch to be used when it’s dark.

“We will also be able to play matches after school in the winter so we no longer have to play our home matches away.”

However, High Crompton Residents’ Group chairman Roy Butterworth remains sure that the traffic will cause havoc for residents and continues to oppose the plans.
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