Broughton College’s proposed pitch layout

A new outdoor hockey pitch with floodlights in Broughton looks set to be given the go ahead.

Planning officers at Preston City Council have recommended the proposal by Broughton Business and Enterprise College to create the artificial pitch.

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The plan has drawn objections from 69 local residents who say the floodlights will be too bright, noise from the games on the pitch and more traffic in the village.

Planning officers write: “The proposed development would provide an improved sports facility for college and community use and has been satisfactorily designed to avoid any significant adverse effects on the residents of neighbouring properties, the amenity of the area, and highway safety.

“Although objections have been received to the proposal, the scheme has been revised since submission to reduce potential impacts upon amenity, highway and pedestrian safety, trees and ecology, and the proposal is now considered acceptable, subject to appropriate conditions. As such the proposal complies with the relevant provisions of the development plan and there are no material considerations which outweigh this finding.”

Strict conditions on when the pitch can be used have been dictated by council officers.

It is proposed to operate from 9am to 9pm on weekdays, from 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and 10am to 12noon on Sundays.

Floodlights will be allowed on from dusk until 9pm on weekdays and dusk to 6pm on Saturdays. There will be no usage of the floodlights on Sundays.

The plans will be heard by councillors on the planning committee from 10am on Monday 4 August at the Town Hall.

Do you live in the area? Do you go to the college? What do you think of the plans? Let us know in the comments below