St Peter’s School- MUGA pitch approved by York councillors

St Peter’s School’s application for the multi-use games area (MUGA) at the south east edge of its Clifton campus was approved by York Council’s Planning Committee on Monday, April 13.

School Director of Operations Giles Roberts told councillors the facilities would improve the health and wellbeing of pupils and reduced operating hours and noise complaints procedures had been agreed to.

But Tim Bradbury, who lives in North Parade which backs on to the area proposed for the pitch, said it would lead to a substantial intensification of use close to people’s homes.

Plans from the private school, which is the fourth-oldest in the world, were first lodged in December.

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It is set to see an artificial pitch built with markings for sports including football, netball and tennis, the details of which will be decided at a later date.

Monday’s meeting heard it would take around four to six weeks to build the pitch which would not be flood-lit or open to use beyond the school.

Councillors put conditions to try and control the noise from ball strikes and to prevent the pitch being offered for outside use.

The school’s plans stated the MUGA was for use by pupils in years seven and eight who currently lack pitches elsewhere on it is site,

It would be available for them to practice on from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday and from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays.

The pitch would be closed on Sundays and bank holidays.

Councillors heard no competitive sports fixtures would be held at the MUGA as the sport had already had facilities for them elsewhere in its grounds.

Council planning officers recommended approving the plans ahead of Monday’s meeting.

But objections were lodged, including from Labour ward councillors Danny Myers and Margaret Wells, over noise concerns and claiming predictions about the effects were not robust enough.

St Peter’s School in Clifton (Image: Pic supplied)

North Parade resident Mr Bradbury said the pitch would be built immediately behind homes there.

The resident said: “This is not a sports pitch, its an all-weather playground behind neighbour’s homes.

“It’s turning this area into a facility that will be used repeatedly, all day, every day, all-year round.

“As a former assistant head teacher at a secondary school I can tell you the noise from children using a space informally is different to supervised children in lessons or at matches.”

School Director of Operations Mr Roberts said there was a hedge, a path and brick wall between the pitch and homes which would help dampen noise.

The director said: “This will serve the existing school community and there will be no flood lights on the pitch.

“This will deliver improved sports and recreational facilities for our pupils with appropriate safeguards in place.”

The plans follow the withdrawal of an application lodged in 2022 for flood-lit hockey pitches, tennis and netball courts and cricket nets.

The school pulled the plans, which also included a 126-seat spectator stand and car and coach parking, in February 2024 after hundreds of objections.