Coleg Cambria resubmits plans for all-weather sports pitch
Coleg Cambria has lodged a fresh planning application for an all-weather sports pitch at its Kelsterton Road site in Connah’s Quay.
The move comes after Flintshire County Council’s planning committee refused an earlier proposal in June, citing concerns over noise, lighting, parking pressures and the impact on nearby residents.
The revised application sets out plans for a 1,770 square metre multi-sport court with fencing up to six metres high and directional LED floodlights.
The college says light spill would be limited to 10 metres and shields could be added if required.
Proposed hours of operation are 9am to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm at weekends and bank holidays.
Access would be through existing campus entrances, with parking provided on site.
The pitch is backed by the Johan Cruyff Foundation and the Cymru Football Foundation, who would part-fund the project. Coleg Cambria says the facility is intended for grassroots, disability and inclusive sport as well as student use.
Maria Stevens, the college’s head of commercial operations, previously said: “This would not just be another football pitch, and it is not for use by one team; if approved it will be a purpose-built, all-weather, multi-sport court designed to support grassroots, disability and inclusive sport, which is why we are so determined it goes ahead.”
A green infrastructure statement submitted with the application notes that 17 of 36 trees on the site would be removed, with new planting of hedgerows, wildflowers and trees to compensate.
However, a number of residents remain opposed. Objections lodged with the council highlight concerns about light pollution from floodlights, noise in the evenings, traffic at the Kelsterton Road and Golftyn Lane junction, and parking on nearby streets.
Some also fear a loss of green space and a negative effect on house values.
One resident wrote: “Parking space into York Road will become much more limited, as people already choose to park there in excess with the school nearby, and I believe that this pitch would exacerbate these issues even more.”
In response, the college’s architects TACP said access would be via the main entrance only, not side junctions, and that new LED floodlights are directional and could be fitted with shields.
They also argued that noise levels would be in line with existing activities already taking place on the campus.
Local clubs including Connah’s Quay Tigers FC and CPD Cei Connah have written in support, describing the facility as “a rare and transformative opportunity” for grassroots sport in the area.
Planning officers had originally recommended approval of the scheme before councillors voted to refuse it.
The new application will now be considered by Flintshire planners.
Comments can now be made on the application, the target for determination date is mid November 2025.
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