HOMEOWNERS on Ramshill have this week renewed their protest against the controversial all-weather hockey pitch at Churcher's College, which was built in the wrong place last year. They were given a second chance to voice their concerns when Petersfield town councillors looked at plans from Churcher's College to retain the all- weather pitch, with its associated fencing and lighting, in its current position. Permission was granted last year for the pitch to be built on the school's Ramshill grounds, controversially backing onto gardens at Shear Hill. But, in November, it emerged that it had been laid out six metres to the west of its intended site, and the school was told it would either have to submit another planning application or face removing the structure altogether. On Tuesday, Janice Cotton made an impassioned plea on behalf of 15 residents from Ramshill and Shear Hill for more restrictions. She told members of Petersfield Town Council's planning committee that although they were generally supportive of the college and its objectives, they felt Churcher's new proposals did not go far enough to reduce the considerable nuisance and loss of amenity that the pitch had caused. "The light spill as measured by the college's consultants is more than four times the approved level," she told town councillors. "In addition, contrary to the approval conditions, light sources are directly visible by residents and from the road at Ramshill." She said the college had been given permission to use the pitch from 9 am to 6 pm on weekdays, until 8-30 pm for two evenings, and on Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm. "But use has recently started well before 9 am on Saturdays, it is often continuous and intensive," she said. Mrs Cotton told the meeting, the pitch was approved with two goals: "It has six, which means not only much higher noise levels but balls flying laterally into gardens." Headmaster Simon Williams said the pitch had been built six metres further west than indicated in the initial planning application because of an error in the drawing of the tennis court boundary and a request from EHDC not to allow the pitch to interfere with soil banking and mature trees on the eastern boundary. He said the position of the pitch remained the correct distance from gardens on the north boundary, and further away from gardens to the east. All other planning conditions, including landscaping and padding of boards surrounding the pitch, had been met, he claimed. "The school is presently in discussion with neighbours as to specific additional planting of mature trees, the colour of floodlight columns, and additional padding." And Mr Williams added: "Churcher's College remains committed to providing the best education for its students. At the same time, the school is fully aware of its responsibility to the community. "We are committed to continuing to provide opportunities and facilities for the wider community of Petersfield, but always taking due regard of the needs and aspirations of those living in the immediate vicinity of the school." Town councillors objected to the new plans form Churcher's.