Neighbours lose pitch battle over late opening

AN EAST Riding sports pitch has been allowed to open until 10pm – despite claims it will leave residents with less time to sleep than prison inmates.

Longcroft School in Molescroft, Beverley, was yesterday given planning permission to extend temporarily the use of its all-weather pitch until 10pm, as well as permanent permission for its use until 9pm.

Originally, permission only lasted until 8pm, but residents have complained of “creeping” applications by the school to extend its use.

For the last year the pitch was open until 9pm, the result of temporary planning permission granted last January.

Resident John Blanchard, who lives close to the school exit on Burton Road, told the eastern area planning sub-committee meeting in Beverley, they were disturbed until late at night, not only by sport, but trips and excursions.

He said they accepted that some disruption was inevitable, but the uses of the school were “beyond capacity”.

“Even prisoners get a minimum of eight hours rest by law; why should residents be any different?”

Councillor John Bird supported residents saying by the time players washed and left it could be as late as 10.30pm.

Coun Kerri Harold, speaking from the floor, said the pitch had been well managed, and added: “I am very confident that if you allow a temporary extension to 10pm it will be the same.”

The committee heard there had been no calls to the police about the pitch in the past year.

Supporters of the proposals, including Humberside Police, said the many activities at the site meant there were less youngsters wandering around with nothing to do.

Seven councillors voted in favour, and the application was granted.