THE VALE Council is today set to approve plans for an all-weather multi-functional sports pitch at Stanwell School despite opposition from local residents.

The proposals, which have faced opposition from local residents concerned about parking, noise and light pollution, are set to go before the Vale Council planning committee tonight, Thursday, July 31.

The plans include perimeter fencing with floodlighting to a maximum of 4.5m high, with the lighting provided by columns approximately 15m in height.

The proposals are recommended for approval subject to several conditions being met, with the matter set to be discussed by councillors at the Vale Council Civic Offices before they are approved.

Stanwell School has previously that the surface would massively benefit pupils by replacing the “dilapidated” playing field and that pupils would be able to play hockey, football and tennis on the surface. As part of the proposals the existing redgra hockey pitch, located adjacent to Victoria Road, would be resurfaced with soil and used for rugby.

The hours of operation of the synthetic turf pitch (STP), which will be open to both school and public use, are set to be 8am until 9.30pm between Monday and Friday, and 9am until 5pm on weekends.

Penarth Town Council had recommended that the application should be approved, but the operating hours should be reduced to 7pm on weekdays and not at all on Sundays.

Sport Wales also supported the synthetic turf pitch (STP) application and said it was “pleased” that the Redgra pitch would be reinstated as a grass pitch to make up for the STP.

It comes after the Vale Council received 22 letters of objection, two of which did not relate to the school use of the pitch but to the outside organisation hours, and a petition signed by 38 people opposing the plans.

The comments related to noise and disruption outside of school hours, construction noise, parking problems, light pollution, invasion of privacy to surrounding residents, litter, and there being enough similar sports facilities in the area.

Despite the opposition to the plans there were also 92 letters of support, with the main themes relating to health benefits to local residents and the STP providing a much-needed sports facility to local residents and sports clubs.

The report set to go before the planning committee councillors allies many of the concerns raised by local residents.

In regards to noise pollution Environmental Health say that the calculated noise levels will not pose a detriment to residential amenity, the Highways department said there was adequate on-site parking for after school use and there would be no significant detrimental impact to the surrounding highway network, and in terms of light pollution the report concluded that light spill would generally be contained well within the school boundaries.

In regards to privacy it said it is considered that the development on the existing playing field area has no adverse impact on privacy that could be sustained as a planning objection.

The planning committee will meet at the Vale Council Civic Offices at 6pm on Thursday, July 31.