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05
Jan 2021
Surge of public support for St Aidan's floodlit pitch plans
Over 100 people in a week have voiced their support to the council about St Aidan's secondary school's plans to build a floodlit artificial sports pitch.
The school said the pitch is "urgently required" but nearby residents in Harrogate have complained the 15-metre high floodlights would cause light pollution to their homes and the Stray.
Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee will meet at 2pm today to consider the planning application, which has been recommended for refusal in a council report.
The report said noise and lights from the pitch would have a "significant adverse impact" on the surrounding area even though it says a new pitch would benefit the school and local football teams:
Last week on HBC's planning portal, the application had 40 objections and three in support.
However, since the Stray Ferret story about the plans was published on Tuesday, there has been a surge of comments in favour, with 107 comments in support and 41 objections.
Read more:
- St Aidan's floodlit pitch plans set for refusal
300 more Harrogate children receiving free school meals since pandemic
Many people also posted on social media in support of the application. One pleaded with local residents to be "selfless":
One person quipped about an objection from the Stray Defence Association, which said the floodlights would have an "immense and detrimental" on the nearby Stray:
The Stray Ferret will report on the outcome of the planning meeting later today.
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