COUNCILLORS have voiced their concerns over a school’s plan to install new floodlit sports facilities.

The plans by Holy Family Catholic School in Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley, had attracted a number of objections by neighbours, and was discussed by councillors yesterday.

The school’s plans would see a new artificial pitch installed at the school site, as well as a clubhouse, specialist sports floodlights standing 15 metres high, perimeter fencing and access features.

The school hopes that the new facilities would mean more sports clubs could use the site outside of school hours, and was submitted in partnership with a local hockey club.

The application went before Bradford Council’s Keighley and Shipley Area Planning Panel yesterday.

Although officers had recommended the application be approved, members instead voted to defer the decision to later in the year, after hearing the objections of people living near the school.

Claire Abberton, speaking on behalf of residents, said: “This pitch could be used from 8.30am to 10pm 365 days a year.

“It could subject us to, potentially, 14 hours of noise on Saturday and Sunday, and in winter we could be looking at floodlights for six hours a day.”

She said the extra use of the site would also put more strain on local roads which were already regularly clogged with cars.

Tim Garthwaite, representing Holy Family, said: “We are dealing with a school built in the 1960s, and we want to bring it up to scratch with the 21st century. The school is already used extensively at weekend and in the evening. It has taken us three years to get to this stage with the plans.”

When it came to making the decision, many members of the panel raised concerns about the lack of details on some issues, including details of floodlighting.

Councillor Jack Rickard (Con, Craven) said: “I have a huge amount of sympathy for the school. Anything that gets youngsters out is great. But I’m also sympathetic to the residents.”

Chair Councillor Doreen Lee (Lab, Keighley East) said: “I’m all for getting youngsters away from the TV, but I really do have concerns about this lighting.”

Pointing to houses on a map of the proposed development, she said: “I’d hate to be the person to live in that house and have light from the floodlights shining near my house. You’d be sitting for hours in the evening with a big light shining outside. I’m not minded to pass this until something is sorted about these lighting concerns. That issue has to be well and truly sorted before we can pass this. If the school can speak to residents and get it right it can be win-win for everyone.”

The committee voted to defer their decision to a meeting in winter to give the applicants more time to tweak the scheme.