Councillors reject Coleg Cambria football pitch plans amid lighting and noise fears

Plans for a new all-weather football pitch at Coleg Cambria in Connah’s Quay have been refused by Flintshire County Council’s planning committee.

The college sought permission to build a small artificial pitch with eight metre high fencing and floodlighting.

The proposed site was a piece of grassland in the north-eastern corner of the campus, near Kelsterton Road and Golftyn Lane, close to existing homes.

Planning officers had recommended approval, stating the pitch would enhance sporting facilities for both the college and wider community.

A report said that impacts from lighting and noise would be controlled and acceptable.

Six letters of objection were received, with residents raising concerns about noise, light pollution, loss of trees, increased traffic, and existing parking pressures.

At Wednesday’s committee meeting, local councillor Dave Richardson said: “The hours of operation are too long. It would be unbearable to have football or whatever being played seven days a week, including bank holidays. It is relentless.

“Why is there a need for another pitch? There are plenty of unused pitches at the high school on the same campus, away from houses.”

Councillor Andy Hughes said he had canvassed opinion from nearby residents: “The feeling is overwhelming. This is the right facility but in the wrong location. The pitch is very close to houses. The lighting and noise will affect residents. The college site is vast. There must be room to put this pitch elsewhere.”

Other councillors also questioned the proposed operating hours.

The pitch would have been in use until 9pm on weekdays and until 6pm at weekends and bank holidays.

Concerns were also raised about traffic and parking.

The college proposed that users would access the pitch through existing campus entrances and parking areas.

After discussion, the committee voted to refuse the application.

The reasons cited included unreasonable operating hours, impacts from lighting and noise on residential amenity, and potential parking problems affecting the local area.