Horncastle school's 3G pitch plans approved, despite objections

Plans for a new 3G football pitch at a school in Horncastle have been approved, despite numerous objections.

The Horncastle Education Trust (HET) proposed building the new sports hub at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School (QEGS) in December 2022.

Some local residents claimed the pitch would be too close to their homes, spoiling their views and causing noise.

East Lindsey District Council's planning committee approved the plans at a meeting on Thursday.

The proposed development received more than 40 formal objections through the council's online planning portal, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Residents had argued that people on Lincoln Road used their back gardens as an "escape from traffic noise," adding that the application would jeopardise that.

One urged the committee to "consider the health and wellbeing" of the community.

Councillor Stephen Eyre, chair of the planning committee, told the meeting that residents' concerns had been listened to and would be "kept at the forefront" of the school's considerations.

The decision was previously deferred following a meeting in April to allow for a site visit to take place.

At the time, Councillor Richard Avison criticised the project, comparing it to a "prison-like structure."

"We hear all too often 'not in my backyard', but unfortunately there lies the problem.

"These residents are going to see this all day, every day, not just for 90 minutes or so of football," he said.

Sandra James, chief executive of HET, previously said positive feedback had been received from local clubs and organisations regarding the proposed pitch.

"We try very hard to be a good neighbour in terms of the surrounding community," she added.

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