Is it full time for school pitch battle?

Proposals for a new artificial pitch and floodlighting at the Withington Avenue school have divided villagers and were being considered by the borough's development control committee last night, Wednesday.

Neighbours are concerned that their peace and quiet will be invaded by noisy sports teams, until late at night, and their privacy will be further compromised by the glare from 16-metre-high floodlights.

It has been labelled a "commercial venture" rather than an asset for schoolchildren and budding sports stars.

Some have even alleged that the borough council, having pledged £120,000 towards the pitch costs, cannot be considered "impartial" in coming to a decision on the plans.

They say that while there is adequate pitch provision in north Warrington, repeated calls for a swimming pool to serve the neighbouring communities of Culcheth and Glazebury have been ignored.

Conversely school chiefs say that bad weather forces PE classes to be doubled up, having a detrimental effect on pupils' sports education.

The existing pitch is 20 years old and is often unsuitable for use, they say, especially after rain.

They stress that noise will not be a problem and refute claims that they have not kept their neighbours informed about the proposals.

It is anticipated that the pitch would also be used by 200 youngsters from the neighbouring Culcheth Community Primary School.

Training facilities would be provided for clubs such as Culcheth ARLFC, Culcheth JFC, Culcheth FC, with Daten Hockey Club the only organisation expected to stage competitive games there.

More than 40 angry residents packed into a meeting of Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council last month, calling for a public meeting to be held on the issue.

School governor Peter Caswell defended the scheme, saying he believed that potential problems had been ironed out and that the facility was much-needed.

The proposals have been recommended for approval by council planning officials.