LORELY BURT MP OPPOSES POWERLEAGUE PLANS FOR TUDOR GRANGE SCHOOL

11.17.27pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st May 2007

Solihull's MP. Lorely Burt will oppose Powerleague's revised plans for eight all-weather football pitches at Tudor Grange School when it comes before the Council's planning sub-committee on Wednesday.

Mrs Burt wrote to over 400 local residents about the original application and found that two thirds of respondents were opposed to the plans. Although immediate provision for a bar has been shelved and the number of pitches reduced, the Solihull MP said that the plans still represented 'a large commercial venture in the middle of a quiet residential development' and would change the character of the area.

Lorely Burt MP said:

"I have made every effort to keep an objective and balanced point of view, having consulted with over 400 residents, teachers and governors at the school and visited a similar development in Coventry.

"I am aware of how important sports facilities are for young people and adults, but feel that the local environment will be changed to the detriment of nearby residents - you cannot get away from the fact that this is a large commercial venture in the middle of a quiet residential development and will irreparably change the character of the area.

"Like all schools in the borough, Tudor Grange is strapped for cash and doing what it can to provide the very best for its children, so it is a shame they were forced to look towards a commercial enterprise to help to improve the school's facilities."