Sports pitch gets go-ahead despite Christian retreat protests (From St Helens Star)
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Rainhill High sports pitch gets go-ahead despite protests from nearby Loyola Hall Christian retreat
3:55pm Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News
PLANS to create an artificial grass sports pitch on school grounds near to a religious retreat have been granted approval despite considerable opposition.
The floodlit zone will be laid 55metres from the boundary of Loyola Hall, a Christian retreat used by visitors for reflection and prayer.
The proposals included an acoustic fence to reduce sound from the pitches – but residents and leaders of the retreat mounted objections about potential noise, light pollution and traffic.
Loyola Hall staff and users also raised concerns it would disturb the “peace, tranquillity and silence” of its environment, which it says has a “worldwide reputation”.
Protests had also come from Rainhill Civic Society and Rainhill Parish Council. In total there were 143 letters of opposition.
However, the school’s website had recorded 86 pledges of support for the multi-use pitch, which will be used by sports teams and community clubs.
It will replace a grassed area, which often becomes too soft and water logged, leading to school sports activities being cancelled.
The development also fits in with a local authority strategy to boost leisure opportunities in the borough.
St Helens Council’s Planning Committee approved planning permission for the pitch, which will be open for use from 8am to 9pm weekdays and between 9am to 5pm at weekends.
Comments(9)
And Justice For All
says...
4:52pm Tue 26 Feb 13
frankly
says...
5:15pm Tue 26 Feb 13
pitbullboxing
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6:03pm Tue 26 Feb 13
jumper
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7:42pm Tue 26 Feb 13
anthonywilson
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1:03am Wed 27 Feb 13
pitbullboxing wrote:Interesting that Cllr De'Asha shoud express his disappointment at the planing committees decision as there were nine Labour councillors in the room and in a clear majority when the decision was made. Three Labour Councillors had to leave the meeting including the Chair of the Planning Committee (two of them being the other ward Councillors for Rainhill) while the decision was made due to a conflict of interest as two of the Rainhill ward councillors plus another Labour councillor from a different ward are also school governors at Rainhill High. Makes you wonder if Councillors really should be school governors if they cannot represent the local electorate in such matters.
Cllr Joe De’Asha, who objected to the plans, said they were passed on Tuesday evening despite requests for a site visit by some councillors.
He told the ECHO: “Lots of residents and members of Loyola Hall attended the meeting to voice their objections. In view of the number of people who seemed to be against the plans one councillor requested a site visit to get more information and a better understanding of the location.
“But the proposal was voted down and another councillor said there was enough information provided to make a decision.
“It’s very disappointing that the committee didn’t take note of the views of so many people.”
Well Joseph that's hypocrisy at it's finest isn't it. Disappointing that the views of so many people were not listened to - Just like you and your pal Rimmer have just done to the residents of Sutton over their leisure centre!!
Not nice is it.
Labour want Rainhill yto have nothing.
Well done to the headmaster of the school !!
Sankey
says...
9:24am Fri 1 Mar 13
frankly wrote:No
i dont know why some object to something to keep the young happy instead of them wandering the streets or the village....does this council not want to do anything anymore to make the town and suburbs better places to live..
Sankey
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9:27am Fri 1 Mar 13
And all this overseen by labour and Marie Rimmer.
Not socialism as I understand it.
Sankey
says...
9:28am Fri 1 Mar 13
pitbullboxing says...
4:38pm Tue 26 Feb 13
He told the ECHO: “Lots of residents and members of Loyola Hall attended the meeting to voice their objections. In view of the number of people who seemed to be against the plans one councillor requested a site visit to get more information and a better understanding of the location.
“But the proposal was voted down and another councillor said there was enough information provided to make a decision.
“It’s very disappointing that the committee didn’t take note of the views of so many people.”
Well Joseph that's hypocrisy at it's finest isn't it. Disappointing that the views of so many people were not listened to - Just like you and your pal Rimmer have just done to the residents of Sutton over their leisure centre!!
Not nice is it.
Labour want Rainhill yto have nothing.
Well done to the headmaster of the school !!