Following on from our investigations, their appears to be concern about the infill used on 3G pitches, investigations are being made to check whether it may cause cancer as reported in various national news papers including the Mirror, Sun Mail etc.
Also a worry and report noted that Astroturf is inflammable which has been reported in the press. Can we endanger our children/grandchildren to these risks, we are aware that supervision by the Sir Robert Woodard Academy is lax and staff resources are restricted at times.
We would urge parents not to use any 3G pitch until more information is available, the national news papers will continue to get further information. The risk may or may not be great but a hazard is present particularly with the granules that are being used to cover the turf.
Please support this petition by going on line and object to the plans.
Thank you
To: Adur Council
Opposition to 3G Floodlight Pitch
Reference AWDM/1883/15
With the above reference to the plans for the 3G pitch, floodlights and proposed layout throughout Sir Robert Woodard Academy grounds I would object to these for the following reasons.
a/ Serious light ingress throughout the local region in Cokeham Road, Abbey Road, Berriedale Drive, Boundstone Lane, Upper Brighton Road, Grover Road and further afield into surrounding Roads leading off the aforementioned areas. As the plans show we have 4 light stanchions on each side to a height of 35 metres, this will flood the surrounding area of up to a thousand metres with full light.
In my experience of 35 years of refereeing at football grounds all over in Sussex I have found that light cannot be contained to the areas of the pitch only. Leakage will be severe due to the height and position of the said floodlights.
Lights placed at each corner would restrict some of the flooding effect but would still cause residents distress and some light invasion.
b/ Noise and pollution will be evident due to the excessive 14 hours usage being made available to the public during each day, with no respite being considered, Teams who participate will bring drink and food to partake of before, in the interval and at the completion of play. There is no evidence of receptacles being provided to cater for wrappers, drink bottles etc.
c/ Upper Boundstone Road and surrounding roads are already congested, with constant traffic using this area. Increasing offsite parking for 30 cars only will not meet highway requirements and children’s safety will be put at severe risk. Air quality will be affected throughout the whole area from early morning until 10.30 at night.
d/ The proposed Academy grounds will be landscaped, but the landscaping that was originally put in place has already been destroyed once, with thousands of shrubs by a tractor having been grubbed out using an industrial hedge cutter, scything around the whole of the Academy’s boundary. This caused untold damage to habitat with no regard to the environment or safety of animals, insects etc.
e/ Wild life is slowly recovering but I fear the effect of excessive amounts of light, noise, constant traffic arriving and leaving, from a possible complement of 22 players, 6 team officials, a number of spectators, this could be in excess of 45 to 60 cars at one time possibly multiplied twice by over lapping games.
f/ Parking will definitely be a constant issue throughout the very early evening with pupils being picked up, teams arriving and night classes being held. Coaches are used at times to convey pupils and teachers to other venues and the in subsequent return will add further to traffic bottle necks.
g/ On the plans there are further additions to the playing areas to include 6 cricket practice nets, field athletics shot, javelin and rounder’s, all on the lower southern edge with a football pitch (grass) still being used during the season. This will also increase noise and disturbance to both residents and wild life.
The whole proposal is not in keeping with a residential area and will cause distress to all who live around the Academy’s boundary, and possibly even the streets leading from the main affected region.
Within the local area we have a College located without surrounding residents on the north side of the A27 close to Shoreham Airport with open fields, and this site is linked to Sir Robert Woodard Academy with far superior access to a 3G pitch.
We have within our local area a number of 3G pitches already in use, particularly the Amex training ground (18 mixed pitches) for all types of football, the SCFA Culver Road 3G pitch, the proposed new 3G pitch now being erected at Lancing Leisure complex by the roundabout on the A27.
We also have the Worthing Town 3G pitch at Woodside Road being used for full sided games and 5 aside football with 2 pitches at this site being used in the evenings.
With the above reference to the plans for the 3G pitch, floodlights and proposed layout throughout Sir Robert Woodard Academy grounds I would object to these for the following reasons.
a/ Serious light ingress throughout the local region in Cokeham Road, Abbey Road, Berriedale Drive, Boundstone Lane, Upper Brighton Road, Grover Road and further afield into surrounding Roads leading off the aforementioned areas. As the plans show we have 4 light stanchions on each side to a height of 35 metres, this will flood the surrounding area of up to a thousand metres with full light.
In my experience of 35 years of refereeing at football grounds all over in Sussex I have found that light cannot be contained to the areas of the pitch only. Leakage will be severe due to the height and position of the said floodlights.
Lights placed at each corner would restrict some of the flooding effect but would still cause residents distress and some light invasion.
b/ Noise and pollution will be evident due to the excessive 14 hours usage being made available to the public during each day, with no respite being considered, Teams who participate will bring drink and food to partake of before, in the interval and at the completion of play. There is no evidence of receptacles being provided to cater for wrappers, drink bottles etc.
c/ Upper Boundstone Road and surrounding roads are already congested, with constant traffic using this area. Increasing offsite parking for 30 cars only will not meet highway requirements and children’s safety will be put at severe risk. Air quality will be affected throughout the whole area from early morning until 10.30 at night.
d/ The proposed Academy grounds will be landscaped, but the landscaping that was originally put in place has already been destroyed once, with thousands of shrubs by a tractor having been grubbed out using an industrial hedge cutter, scything around the whole of the Academy’s boundary. This caused untold damage to habitat with no regard to the environment or safety of animals, insects etc.
e/ Wild life is slowly recovering but I fear the effect of excessive amounts of light, noise, constant traffic arriving and leaving, from a possible complement of 22 players, 6 team officials, a number of spectators, this could be in excess of 45 to 60 cars at one time possibly multiplied twice by over lapping games.
f/ Parking will definitely be a constant issue throughout the very early evening with pupils being picked up, teams arriving and night classes being held. Coaches are used at times to convey pupils and teachers to other venues and the in subsequent return will add further to traffic bottle necks.
g/ On the plans there are further additions to the playing areas to include 6 cricket practice nets, field athletics shot, javelin and rounder’s, all on the lower southern edge with a football pitch (grass) still being used during the season. This will also increase noise and disturbance to both residents and wild life.
The whole proposal is not in keeping with a residential area and will cause distress to all who live around the Academy’s boundary, and possibly even the streets leading from the main affected region.
Within the local area we have a College located without surrounding residents on the north side of the A27 close to Shoreham Airport with open fields, and this site is linked to Sir Robert Woodard Academy with far superior access to a 3G pitch.
We have within our local area a number of 3G pitches already in use, particularly the Amex training ground (18 mixed pitches) for all types of football, the SCFA Culver Road 3G pitch, the proposed new 3G pitch now being erected at Lancing Leisure complex by the roundabout on the A27.
We also have the Worthing Town 3G pitch at Woodside Road being used for full sided games and 5 aside football with 2 pitches at this site being used in the evenings.
Why is this important?
Environmental issue of constant floodlight illuminating the surrounding area all night up to 10 pm, with severe drainage problems that will impact onto Boundstone lane,
Traffic congestion throughout the day and evening along a narrow Lane.
Traffic congestion throughout the day and evening along a narrow Lane.
