People living near Longhill School are continuing to raise concerns about the environmental impact of a rubber crumb base for its planned new sports pitch.
The school in Falmer Road, Rottingdean, secured planning permission for its 3G pitch in February.
However, a planning application to Brighton and Hove City Council to iron out details has resulted in Rottingdean residents submit new opposition to updated plans.
The application includes details about materials, noise management and maintenance plans.
Rottingdean resident Abi Jacks said: “We have repeatedly raised concerns because the pitch will use rubber crumb and sits above Brighton’s chalk aquifer.
“The drainage information appears to rely on a standard assessment covering pollutants such as suspended solids, metals and hydrocarbons.
“We have asked how this demonstrates protection against other potential pollutants associated with synthetic pitches, including PFAS, 6PPD-quinone, benzothiazoles and microplastics.”
Dirk Mitchell has opposed the pitch’s rubber crumb base from the start and has written to Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven MP Chris Ward, as well as council officials and members of the planning committee.
Mr Mitchell said: “Alarm bells should be ringing because we take our water from extraction points in the chalk.
“Imagine having a sieve filled with crumb rubber over a mug and pouring water into the mug and drinking it.
“The chemical contaminants found to be leaching from 3G pitches are migrating as dissolved leachate into our source protection zones untreated.”
In March, Brighton and Hove Independent councillors for Rottingdean and West Saltdean, Mark Earthey and Bridget Fishleigh, called for a report on the surface material that has become popular for all-weather pitches.
Councillors agreed that a report should explore the environmental and health risks, current government and Sport England policies, alternative materials and how planning could influence materials.
Councillor Fishleigh also spoke against rubber crumb base during BHASVIC’s application for a 3G pitch at its playing field at Old Shoreham Road, Hove, providing an example of what came off her son’s football boots after training.
Sport England has described the materials as “FIFA and World Rugby compliant”.
The materials include a stone sub-base, a double layer of porous asphalt, 3G synthetic turf system filled with sand and a prefabricated shockpad from a rubber mix.
The noise management plan submitted this month (October) says the operating hours at 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 8pm during the weekend and public holidays.
Sports centre staff and site supervisors must conduct regular perimeter walkthroughs during community bookings.
Whistle use is restricted to 9am to 7pm. Hiring groups will also be discouraged from “unnecessary shouting, screaming and foul language”.
The design and access statement submitted with the application said: “(The pitch) provides opportunities for the local community groups to participate in sport and physical activity for health improvement, enjoyment and development of the skills, particularly amongst low participating groups.”
The application is available to view by searching for BH2026/01574 on the council planning website.
Sport England points out that the EU will ban new rubber crumb filled sports pitches after 2031. Although the UK is not in the EU, there may be impacts in the UK.
Sport England’s statement is here: https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/facilities-and-planning/planning-for-sport/position-statement-on-3g-pitches
Is this a perfect example of NIMBY? Wonder how many of those who object drive diesel urban tractors or who vape or who garden heaters or log burners? It is always amazing how the environment suddenly because so important when it suits people.
Sounds like madness to install a plastic pitch – why would we want to poison the surrounding area — When I was at school we played on grass and just got muddy if it was wet.