Hundreds of school children will be able to play outdoor sports all year round after councillors granted planning permission for a £1 million all-weather pitch this afternoon (Wednesday 4 February).
Longhill High School worked with officials, community sports clubs and a football charity to draw up the planning application that was submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council.
And after a debate at Hove Town Hall that didn’t quite run to the duration of a football match, the council’s Planning Committee put the pitch to a vote.
The score was 7-2 and now staff at the school will working hard behind the scenes so that the artificial surface can be put in place over 12 weeks in the summer.
The aim is for games to commence on the new 3G pitch by the end of September – and, after the result today, Longhill head teacher Rachelle Otulakowski said that she was delighted.
A report to councillors said that the council had received 126 letters of support and 98 objections.
One of the objectors, neighbour Terry Rose, raised several concerns when he addressed councillors. He cited potential noise and said that there was “no adequate” travel plan.
Mr Rose said: “The application is not robust and if it goes ahead will effectively urbanise a quiet semi-rural area.
“For these reasons, I ask the committee to either turn down the application or pause it until a much more detailed assessment has been carried out.”
Brighton and Hove Independent councillor Bridget Fishleigh also objected to the application, criticising the rubber crumb surface. She urged the school to use a more environmentally safe alternative.
Councillor Fishleigh, who represents Rottingdean and West Saltdean, said that her son played on 3G pitches.
She said that the microplastics from his boots could be found in their garden and their washing machine and left black spots on his bedroom floor.
Councillor Fishleigh said: “The EU will ban rubber crumb from being used in 3G pitches from 2031 but today we are able to set our own course.
“We are part of the Living Coast and have declared a climate and biodiversity emergency. Continuing to build 3G pitches with microplastics is not compatible with maintaining these environmental credentials.”
Labour councillor Jacob Allen, a former Longhill pupil who now represents Woodingdean ward on the council, said that the plans would give students something that every other local secondary school already had.
Councillor Allen said: “I say unapologetically that children in the east of the city deserve the very best facilities, even when there can be drawbacks to balance.
