PLANS for a £710,000 floodlit all-weather football pitch have run into opposition from nearby residents who say it is “in the wrong place”.

Prince Henry’s Grammar School, in Otley, wants to create the facility on the sports field in front of its main building, which backs onto neighbouring houses.

The pitch, part-funded by the Football Foundation, would also be available to the wider community and is being supported by a number of local sports clubs.

But residents fear it would ruin their ability to relax in their homes and gardens - some of which are only a few metres from the proposed location.

Gillian Spencer, who lives in Prince Henry’s Court, said: “We accept the normal weekday noise generated by the school - this existed when we moved in and is acceptable.

“What is not acceptable is that we should live within a few metres of a facility which will generate excessive noise, significant light pollution and an exacerbation of already chronic traffic problems from (potentially) 9am to 10pm, seven days a week, including holiday periods.

“We have no objections to a pitch per se but it needs to be where it will not destroy the quality of life for a large number of people.

“The proposal is being sold as a ‘community asset’. It has been said that more than 60 teams have expressed an interest in using such a pitch.

“Many of these teams (including Guiseley FC) are from outside Otley, so how is that a benefit to the local community?”

Many of the neighbouring householders say the scheme would also exacerbate local parking, traffic and pollution problems.

Alec Spencer added: “This is just too near residential properties - it would be within 10 metres of some of the houses here, how can that be deemed to be reasonable?

“It is simply in the wrong place and some of the people whose homes would be closest are in their 80s.”

Otley Town Council has said the pitch would be a suitable candidate to apply, if it proceeds, to its Investing in Otley Fund.

Town Council chair Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield), in his response to a letter from concerned residents, said: “I believe that the wider and deeper benefits to the community that come with the facility outweigh the concerns raised, yet I reiterate that I expect the school to make every effort to mitigate the impact on its neighbours.”

Prince Henry’s Grammar School has responded to a number of points that have been raised about its 3G pitch plan.

The school said trees bordering the proposed site would not be damaged by the work, and that the facility’s floodlights would ensure light falls on the Prince Henry’s side of the tree line. An acoustic barrier would help reduce noise levels from the pitch.

The school said of the location: “Both Leeds City Council and the Football Foundation are keen that the facility is used during the day, which reduces the options for locations. The issues of security, access and maintenance access have also been considered.”