A TEACHER fighting plans by his own school to build an all-weather sports pitch has found himself in the hot seat this week. David Maples, who lives in The Causeway, has been outspoken in his criticism of The Petersfield School's pitch plan – part of an ambitious land- swap deal with supermarket giant Tesco. And headteacher Nigel Poole conceded that his "jaw dropped" when he heard of the maths teacher's intention to lead neighbours in a campaign against the school's proposal. In a tight-lipped response on Wednesday, he told the Herald: "I would prefer not to comment at this stage, but the matter is being dealt with internally by school management." Tesco planners last week released the first glimpse of the proposal which would see state-of-the-art, £1.5m sports facilities built on school grounds in return for a strip of land handed over to the supermarket giant. But residents living opposite the site – including Mr Maples – fear "Blackpool-style" light pollution from the pitch after school hours could make their lives a misery. Mr Maples told The Herald: "I think this is a vicious attack on the life quality and comfort of people who live in this part of the world. "There are a lot of people who are opposed to this. "It is a question of who has to pay the price for the benefits of other people. "Some people's lives are going to be drastically altered once this is up and running." He also disputed Mr Poole's claims that some residents were happy with the proposal when they attended a private viewing organised by the school last week. "Everyone to a man was opposed to it," he said. "Mr Poole also said the lights would not have a great effect on residents, which we don't agree with at all. "Another concern I have is that the school is being pretty unreasonable. It is not as if the pitch can't be put elsewhere." Mr Maples denied that his stance would put him in a difficult position at school, and he supported the principle of added sports provision. He said: "I don't think it will be awkward. I hope that never happens – it would be very unfair if it did. "Of course, I have divided loyalties, but something has to come first. I have to live here and I like living here, so why should my quality of life be altered? "I would like to support the school 100 per cent, but there comes a point when you simply can't." l TPS headteacher Nigel Poole this week vowed he would do everything in his power to engage his neighbours as the sports pitch project gathered momentum. Defending the school's ambitious plans, he said the benefits it would bring to the town would represent an "almost unarguable case". He told The Herald: "It is important that we get this through for the more than 1,000 pupils here now, and for successive generations. "There is inevitably going to be some turbulence, but we have got to come to an amicable agreement." The debate comes just weeks after residents living near Churcher's College on Ramshill restated their opposition against an artificial sports pitch which was built backing onto their homes. But Mr Poole said that he wanted to retain a good relationship with his neighbours. As well as an all-weather sports pitch, the school intends to build a gym, tennis courts, changing rooms and cricket strips. Designs and proposals were set to be put before Petersfield Town Council last night (Thursday). The public will be able to view details of the exchange at an exhibition in the Festival Hall's Rose Room today (Friday), from noon to 6 pm, and from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, when Mr Poole will be in attendance.
