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06
Jan 2021
The headteacher of St Aidan's Church of England High School has said he is "absolutely delighted" that councillors have given the school the green light to build a floodlit artificial sports pitch.
Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee approved the plan yesterday, subject to conditions on lighting and flooding, despite it being recommended for refusal.
Headteacher Chris Burt told the Stray Ferret the school was looking forward to building the new pitch.
He said:
The application generated considerable interest after the Stray Ferret published an article on Tuesday saying the plans were recommended for refusal.
Harrogate Borough Council's planning portal subsequently received a surge of pro-school comments, with those classed as favourable jumping from 3 to 123.
Many online comments also backed the proposal and urged local residents that had complained about light pollution to support the school. One said:
Some people on social media have hailed "people power" for helping to influence councillors' decisions.
However, divisions remain. One reader, who asked to remain anonymous, contacted the Stray Ferret today to express their displeasure at the outcome.
They said:
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