Vicar objects to new football pitch near his church that will bring ‘loud swearing, whistle-blowing and the noise of football’
- Developers Alderley Park plan to build a football pitch and pavilion in Cheshire
- Vicar at nearby church opposes plans citing ‘noise of football’ as main concern
- Rev Jon Hale says ‘heightened emotions’ of football supporters could cause loud swearing which, along with whistle blowing, could be distressing to neighbours
- Other concerns have been raised about green belt status of the proposed site
A vicar has objected to a new football pitch near his church because he believes it will bring ‘loud swearing and the noise of football’.
Developers Alderley Park Ltd have requested permission to build a full-size football pitch and associated pavilion on land in Alderley, Cheshire.
If approved, the plans would see the pitch and single-story pavilion built which would feature changing rooms with shower and toilet facilities, a kitchen and a 40sqm ‘education room’ available for use by the community.
A vicar has opposed plans to build a new football pitch and accompanying pavilion over fears it will attract loud swearing and crowd noise. Pictured: an artist’s impression of the pavilion
But as part of the consultation process, a reverend from nearby St Mary’s Church has opposed the plans citing noise which he says could be ‘distressing’ to those who live or visit the area.
In his objection submitted to Cheshire East Council, Rev. Jon Hale has said: ‘From my experience of parish ministry elsewhere, the noise of football, and of football training, carries, and can be disturbing and distressing to people who live within its sound or who otherwise regularly resort to the area.
‘These are sounds of whistle-blowing, crowd shouting and individual people shouting, often in a state of heightened emotion which can cause loud swearing.
‘Despite the presence of trees and vegetation, the sounds from the proposed football pitch would carry, and particularly so in the winter – which is the football season – when the trees have shed their leaves.’
Reverend Jon Hale (pictured) feels his concerns about disturbing noise as well as intrusion on Alderley’s green belt land have not been appropriately addressed in the planning application
The reverend, who says he has been at the church since 2016, also lists traffic problems and the ‘intrusion of openness’ in the area.
Rev Hale says the concerns he has raised have not been appropriately addressed in Alderley Park’s planning application which is due to be determined by May.
Only one other neighbour objection has been registered with the council which was submitted without a name and raises concerns over the green belt status of the proposed land and the impact on local wildlife.
Developers addressed these concerns citing national planning policies which list ‘appropriate’ sporting and recreation grounds as being examples of when exceptions can be made.