OBJECTORS trying to prevent an all-weather sports pitch from being built close to their homes say their fears have fallen on deaf ears at Petersfield Town Council. Residents on Ramshill and Shear Hill are up in arms after Churcher's College revealed its plans for an artificial turf facility to the rear of its estate. And now they are calling for members of East Hampshire District Council to see the site for themselves before ruling on the controversial scheme. Last week town councillors threw their weight behind the pitch plan at a meeting of the planning committee. But the neighbours claim councillors made up their minds "without even visiting the site or listening to the opposing views". Campaign spokesman Joe Wheeler said: "The neighbours of Churcher's College, and their growing band of supporters, are calling for members of the planning committee to visit the site to see for themselves the impact this proposed development would have on the town. "Ramshill is the gateway to the lovely old town which will be the capital of the new national park. What sort of impression would we present to visitors when eight massive lighting towers blight the first view? "Think of crowds of adult supporters frantically urging their teams on, or referees blowing whistles and competitors yelling at each other. "All this up to nine o'clock at night and on your hedge line. "Sounds like a nightmare, but this is exactly what Churcher's are proposing in their application for a floodlit all-weather pitch. "Councillor Paul Molloy thinks it 'a lovely plan' and, judging by press reports, other councillors feel the same way. "None of them has yet visited the site; none have seen the badger setts, the purpose-built bat holes, the slow worms and other forms of wild life. "How can anyone legislate on a matter so vital to the community without even visiting the site or listening to the opposing views? "On the subject of floodlights, the application is so full of technical details that it would take a lighting expert to fully understand the implications. "Bland comments about lux and so forth made by unqualified people are meaningless. What is needed is common sense, not technicalities." And in a letter to The Herald this week, one Ramshill resident said it was time members at the town council reviewed their stance. Janet Down said: "The town councillors should now be brave enough to admit that they may have been wrong and reverse their decision. "It is to be hoped that the district councillors will find out all the facts and arrange a site visit with the pitch positions marked out and poles or balloons marking the height and location of the lighting columns. "They cannot make an informed planning decision unless they do so."
