PEOPLE living near a Malvern high school are banding together to oppose plans for a new sports field.

Dyson Perrins CE Academy has applied for planning permission to create an artificial grass pitch, surrounded with a fence and lit by floodlights, in the school grounds.

The pitch is intended for rugby and football matches.

But people living round the school, especially in Michael Crescent, fear the disruption it will cause to their lives, with glare from the 15-metre floodlight columns, additional traffic, and noise from players and supporters.

They are writing to Malvern Hills District Council to voice their opposition, and are urging other residents to join them.

Adrian Warburton has started up a petition and gathered 30 signatures in a few hours of doorknocking.

He said: “We’ve got nothing against the school or sports, but we are worried about the impact this will have. The existing floodlights on the tennis courts are intrusive and they are often left on into the night, event when the courts are not being used.”

Donna Cole, also of Michael Crescent, said: “This lighting is not only going to affect the residents in the near vicinity but also those people living a lot further afield, for example in West Malvern.

“We don’t want people thinking we are a load of old fuddy-duddy complainers. We are all extremely supportive of the school and the current excellent sporting facilities.

However, the size of this proposed development, perimeter fencing and floodlights is really too large to be ignored.”

Most of the comments sent to the council are opposing the school’s plan, although one Yates Hay Road resident registered his “whole-hearted support” for it.

Headteacher David Griffin said: “We believe the artificial grass pitch, for which a planning application has been submitted, would benefit the community. Views are being sought by Malvern Hills District Council, and residents are being consulted.”