Lorely Burt MP - RESIDENTS OPPOSE NEW SPORTS PITCHES AND SOCIAL CLUB AT TUDOR GRANGE SCHOOL

5.02.05pm GMT Tue 23rd Jan 2007

Plans by Tudor Grange School to provide ten five-a-side pitches, changing facilities and a club premises in partnership with Powerleague at the Dingle Lane school site have run into stiff opposition from local residents.

Lorely Burt MP took up concerns over the plans by consulting with 400 homes near the school. Nearly 100 people responded to her letter with just over two thirds opposed to the scheme.

Lorely Burt MP said:

"I have been careful to put both sides of the case and have spoken to local residents as well as the Head Teacher and Chair of Governors at Tudor Grange and the Managing Director of Powerleague.

"Whilst Powerleague were prepared to make concessions in relation to the operating conditions of the social club, there are still very strong concerns about the licensing of a premises to serve alcohol on a school site, and the amount of extra traffic the pitches and club would generate on evenings and at weekends.

"I have visited a similar Powerleague operation in Coventry and called on residents nearby to ask their reactions to the development.

"Noise and parking were the main concerns in Coventry, but the location of the pitches was literally 'in the face' of local residents, and parking provision is much less than planned at Solihull. Nevertheless there is no doubt that the playing fields would become the hub of a very busy commercial enterprise within the school grounds at Tudor Grange.

"Consideration of the planning application by the council will be delayed to allow full and proper analysis of all the factors relating to the scheme, and planning officers will be briefing me thoroughly on their findings."