A 3G sports pitch has opened for community use in Harrogate.
St Aidan’s Church of England High School applied to create the pitch more than two years ago and is now inviting people to use it.
it was completed in the summer and officially launched at the school’s new Family Fest day. However, it was only in use for PE lessons and school football clubs until this week.
St Aidan’s chair of governors Jo Wicks said:
“We are delighted to finally be able to share this long-awaited and much-needed facility with the local community.
“Our pupils and PE staff are already enjoying their new dry and safe pitch, and we look forward to welcoming local clubs to St Aidan’s. Thanks to everyone involved for your hard work and resilience.”
When the original planning application was submitted in spring 2020, the school said the pitches would mainly be used by its own pupils, as well as those from primary schools in the area who did not have access to their own playing spaces.
Read more:
St Aidan’s plans to open the facility to the community from 6pm to 8pm on weeknights as well as Saturdays from 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 10am to 2pm. It would also be open from 9am to 4pm during school holidays.
The associated floodlights drew some concern from neighbours, who also raised objections to the potential for light pollution on the Stray.
However, there were also many supportive comments, including from other football clubs which said there was a demonstrable lack of year-round playing pitches in the Harrogate district.
Planning officers had recommended the proposal be refused by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee because of the impact on the surrounding area.
Councillors instead approved the plans in January 2021, saying they would be “letting our young people down” if they did not allow the pitches to be created.