Plans for a new 3G pitch at a York school have been approved.
The plans, approved by City of York Council’s planning committee, will see the pitch built at Fulford School in Fulfordgate.
The school’s application stated the pitch would also provide an enhanced facility that would be available to the local community for use throughout the year.
But Fulford and Heslington ward’s Cllr Kate Ravilious said she was concerned the pitch could fuel a significant rise in traffic on weekday evenings.
The plans are set to see the artificial pitch built on an existing playing field between school buildings and part of the Germany Beck housing development.
A total of 13 slim line floodlights are set to be installed around the pitch along with a perimeter and acoustic fence.
A single-storey changing room block is also set to be built.
The pitch would be used by school pupils and it would also be made available to local sports teams by appointment.
It would meet size requirements to host games on a full-sized football pitch and it could also be divided up into four smaller ones for five aside games.
The school has 155 parking spaces along with seven disabled bays.
Council planning officers recommended approving the plans provided that £15,000 is paid to change traffic regulations to prevent on-street and pavement parking in the area.
Water logging problem
Plans stated that the current turf pitch was prone to waterlogging during bad weather in the winter, limiting its availability.
The plans stated: “The provision of a new artificial grass pitch will provide increase usage in comparison to the existing grassed playing field for the benefit of the school, football clubs and partner organisations in the surrounding area.
“The new pitch will offer a variety of football pitches and support development into grassroots football.”
Fulford and Heslington ward’s Cllr Ravilious said traffic levels should be monitored once the pitch becomes operational.
The Labour councillor said in her submission to the committee she was concerned about the effect traffic would have on residents’ on-street parking on Fulfordgate.