School’s plans to open up games area to public passed

PLANS to convert a school’s sports area into a multi-use games area with floodlighting, and use by the public, have been passed.

Members of Charnwood Borough Council’s plans committee debated the application from Hall Orchard C of E Primary School, Barrow-upon-Soar.

The application was to enclose the existing school sports area with 3m high sports fencing and to provide an area for football, netball, tennis and short lane races.

The meeting heard that the area would be for the school, but would be opened up for use by the public during after school hours and at Saturdays and some school holidays.

The plan was to open the area to the public in term times: Monday to Friday, 6pm to 8.30pm, Saturdays, 9.30am - 4.30pm and certain school holiday periods: Monday to Friday 4pm - 8pm and Saturdays 9.30am - 4.30pm.

There were concerns from the two borough councillors for the village, Coun Hilary Fryer and Coun Pauline Ranson that the proposal would be intrusive to neighbours.

Parish councillor, Coun Peter Cantle spoke to the meeting saying that the plan had “divided opinion” in the community, but the there was concern about light pollution and the impact the area would have on the quality of life of people nearby.

He added that if the committee was minded to pasS the application that the weekday hours end at 8pm not 8.30pm.

Coun Pauline Ranson added the same concerns and said there could be a loss of privacy.

Coun Mark Lowe said that he believed the area would be: “A fantastic asset for the school and for Barrow” but the fence would not be high enough and balls would go over it.

He added that he didn’t think there was anything to worry about the floodlighting saying LED would be less intrusive.

The plans were passed unanimously with a condition that all activities should end at 8pm to prevent nuisance to the neighbours.