A SCHOOL in Fagley has submitted plans to build a new multi-use games area in the school playing fields, to give pupils at the school better opportunities to get active and involved in sport.

St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, based in Fagley Road, has applied to install the all-weather multi-use games area (MUGA) next to its playing fields and school building to provide a sports surface for pupils to use all-year round.

It would be situated on a grass field to the rear of the school, around 20 metres from neighbouring Grade-II listed properties.

The MUGA, which would cost the school more than £19,000 to install, would provide a space for children to play football, cricket netball and basketball on an artificial turf surface, meaning it would be available all-year round, when wet weather may mean the school’s grass playing fields and tarmac playground may not be fit for use.

This would allow children at the school access to outdoor exercise throughout the whole school year.

The school also hopes it will be able to rent out the MUGA for use by the community if the plans are given the green light, providing additional income for the school and a vital asset for the community in Fagley.

If approved, it will be 30 metres long, 15 metres wide, and surrounded by three metre high fencing, made from duo-wire fencing which the school states “was chosen to reduce rebound noise from footballs”.

In the school’s application, it said: “The MUGA will provide essential all year round sports facilities for the school’s pupils on the school playing field.

“At present the playing field can only be used in the summer months and this is very limiting in our physical education provision and our drive to reduce childhood obesity.

“The siting of the MUGA will also allow pupils to undertake sporting activities farther from the residential houses which border our playground and hence reduce the impact on residents of our pupils playing sport.

“It is hoped the MUGA will also be available for community use under the supervision of school staff.”

Councillor Brendan Stubbs (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said he would be in favour of the MUGA, as long as it didn’t affect nearby residents.

He said: “If it doesn’t overlook the houses I can’t see myself having any massive concerns with it.

“The way house building has gone, gardens are getting smaller and smaller, some people don’t event have a garden, getting outside and playing is such an important part of growing up, so if this gives children somewhere to get outside then I would be ok with it.

“But you have to be a nice neighbour and make sure the nearby houses aren’t disturbed.

“It is an under-used piece of land, so if it can by utilised to get more children active that would be a good thing.”

Conservation officer Arshid Zaman said he would need to see clearer plans of the MUGA before he could give it has approval.

Mr Zaman said: “The application site is located within the setting of a row of early 19th century Grade-II listed cottages on Ashfield Place.

“It is unclear from the site plan how close the proposed MUGA is to the listed buildings however from the description it appears that it will be located away from the heritage assets and alongside the school.

“Confirmation of this would be required. On this basis, it is unlikely that the proposal would impact on the setting of the listed buildings however a clearer site plan would allow me to confirm this.”

To comment on the school’s plans, in support or objection, visit Bradford Council’s planning website.