Last updated 15:55, Wednesday, 07 May 2008

PLANS for a floodlit, all-weather sports area at a Mirehouse school have prompted a storm of anger from nearby residents.

plans: Anthony Dwyer

St Gregory and St Patrick's RC school is asking Copeland council for planning permission to turn a raised playground area to the east of the site into a floodlit, all-weather artificial play surface for the school and wider community use.

But councillors have been told there is strong local opposition, with 20 letters of objection and a 40-name petition.

Allegations made by objectors include a claim that “on several occasions users of the existing playground hurl litter and stones, together with obscene language at neighbouring residents.

“Supervisors of the playground make no attempt to control this behaviour, increased use will inevitably result in increased abuse”.

The objectors have also claimed that they “already have to suffer the supposedly noiseless windmill which is anything but noiseless”.

They also claim the parking facilities will be totally inadequate, “the existing car park is completely unused with staff and parents and visitors parking on Esk Avenue”.

They also fear the floodlighting will shine into homes around the site.

But head teacher Anthony Dwyer defended his school.

He said: “This very successful, highly praised and popular Catholic Community school is going through the planning process to upgrade the existing school playground to a multi sports area that will be used by the children and local people.

“The playground will be increased slightly and is on the existing level .

“The new car park is used by both staff and pupils and has greatly improved the parking situation around the school. We encourage staff and parents to use this facility and to refrain from parking in an inconsiderate manner.

“Like all schools it is at the beginning and end of the school day where most problems may occur.

“The school is working with the highways agency to stop any parking or waiting near the school entrance. This has cost the school more than £2,000.

“The multi sports pitch is small and will be used by a small number of people.

“The playground, car park school entrance will be covered by CCTV and a caretaker has been appointed to manage all the community activities that will be and are already occurring at this school.

“This will ensure any disturbance to residents will be kept to a minimum

“I refute strongly the claim that the children of this school hurl litter stones and use obscene language at local residents.

“The children at this school, who range from two to seven are very well behaved and any such behaviour would not be tolerated by the school.

“In 20 years at this school I have never had any complaints of this nature before.

“The fear of change is often far greater than the actual change taking place. The directional floodlights mentioned in the planning application have been chosen for minimum light pollution and they will be switched off at 9pm.

“The planning application supports the facilities that now exist in our exciting new community building.

“A community shop is now bringing many benefits to local people. We will be working with planning officers and we await their site visit to this school.”

The planning panel voted last Wednesday to defer any decision and hold a site visit.