A NEW artificial grass pitch in Otley could ‘destroy’ the lives of neighbouring residents.

That was one of the claims made at a packed meeting of Otley Town Council’s Planning Sub Committee this week.

The meeting was dominated by discussion of the 3G pitch proposal for Prince Henry’s Grammar School (PHGS).

The scheme would see a floodlit sports pitch with fences, an ‘acoustic barrier’ and a spectators area built in front of the school’s main building.

Those proposing the plan - PHGS and Sport Chevin, backed by a number of clubs - told the meeting the facility would be ‘an incredible asset for sport in the town’ that would boost opportunities, particularly for girls’ and women’s football.

They also insisted that householders’ concerns, principally about noise, light, opening times and parking, could be addressed.

Stressing that the pitch was a ‘partnership project designed for the community’, the school’s Faculty Leader for PE and Sport, Dave Curtis, said: “This is an incredible opportunity for the community of Otley to receive considerable investment in sporting facilities.”

Several residents however, from a large contingent who attended, painted a very different picture. Vince Pickersgill, from Oatlands Drive, has been involved in sport for 25 years. He said: “This proposal is 17 metres from our property. If this goes ahead we’ll be setting some sort of record about being the closest pitch to a boundary fence.

“Several examples (of pitches) like this have been thrown out because of excessive noise or light. I really think this will impact on people’s health and wellbeing. I’m not a nimby and I fully back sport but this is just too close, it’s in the wrong place.

“This will destroy people’s lives.”

Sport Chevin Chair Richard Davies pointed out that the pitch would be in line with local policies that highlighted the ‘woeful’ current provision of sporting facilities.

He said: “All of our neighbouring communities have excellent facilities. Otley, however, remains the poor relative. This site has been chosen because there is no viable alternative.

“We believe it’s in the right place for its users and could be delivered in a manner that addresses the concerns of nearby residents.”

Newall Hall Park resident Lesley Lydamore, meanwhile, raised the issue of the pitch’s impact on wildlife.

Highlighting the fact that there is a large bat roost in the school grounds, she said the pitch floodlights could disturb the animals and other species in nearby woodland.

She said: “I believe procedure has not been followed here. We’ve had a bat survey of sorts but no ecological impact study.”

Councillors agreed there were a number of issues, including the impact on wildlife, parking and the proposed opening times - of up to 10pm - that needed to be addressed in more detail.

The committee unanimously agreed to send the following comment to Leeds City Council: “At the moment the council has difficulty in supporting this application because the information available, covering a number of aspects, is not sufficient for them to make a decision to support, or in fact, oppose.”