Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG) is facing criticism from Jesmond residents regarding its proposal for an all-weather pitch on Town Moor land.

The pitch, set to be built on intake area 10 (see image, right), will be just a couple of metres away from the Princess Mary Court apartment block. Residents of the estate have voiced concerns over a number of issues such as an increased risk of flooding, traffic congestion and light pollution.

In an area already susceptible to flooding, local residents do not feel enough precaution is being taken; the fear is that the development of the pitch will only exacerbate the problem. Brian Nichol, the owner of Princess Mary Court, speaking on behalf of the residents stated: “We believe that there is a considerable likelihood that during times of heavy rain, water will run off the all-weather pitch and cause flooding around the edge of the field. We are extremely concerned that this surface water will affect the properties at Princess Mary Court […] the existing proposal for a 300mm deep attenuation chamber is insufficient.”

Residents also fear that the pitch will worsen congestion, and worry that if it becomes a community facility, few will be able to monitor the behaviour of its users. Occupants who overlook the pre-existing grass playing field are also concerned by the possible implementation of floodlighting; they hope the application will only be permitted on the premise that they are never installed.

Nichols said that “there have been occasions this year when it has been completely impossible for residents to get in or out the court due to events on the playing field. We are concerned about the traffic that extended hours of use will create. We are also very concerned that [the pitch] might in time become a community facility to be used by non-school groups…the school will not be able to exercise control over the behaviour of non-school users, which could lead to […] noise nuisance for prolonged hours.”

Hilary French, head teacher at NHSG, has denied that non-school users will be a concern to local residents as the public will not be authorised to use the pitch. She told JesmondLocal that “the city has made it very clear that permission for anyone other than school would not be granted.”

Members of the Jesmond Residents Association (JRA) have also registered their objection, believing the development will prohibit access to what they believe should remain “open space” to members of the public. The field is currently already leased to the school for physical education purposes, along with fields north and south of it being leased to Royal Grammar School (RGS).

Nils Clemmetsen, speaking on behalf of the JRA, said: “If planning permission for this application is granted, then RGS too will wish to develop pitches on one or both of the fields that they lease.” She further stressed that “Town Moor land is unsuitable. It should remain open space; the development of an all-weather playing field will change the character of a significant strip of land.”

However, as the land is already leased to the school, Hilary French dismissed arguments citing that it should remain “open space”. She stated: “We are not building on land to which the public currently has access, we are simply resurfacing a field that is leased to us.” She added that the field is “never open to the public anyway…we will not be removing any access to the Town Moor that is currently enjoyed by the public.”

Further information about the planning application can be located online at: https://publicaccessapplications.newcastle.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=N9O0SYBSMEK00