The 3G pitch is proposed to accommodate full-size Rugby, Football,
Lacrosse and American Football use, but other clubs including Ultimate
Frisbee, Rounders and Softball will also be able to train on the
pitch. There will also be three cricket nets on the project. With some
of these clubs using the 3G pitch, it will free up more space for
teams on the astro pitch, such as hockey.
What will the pitch include?
The pitch will include an 8 column local sports lighting system,
perimeter weld mesh panel fencing of 3m high, rising to 6m behind each
goat, 1.2m high spectator fencing, 3m wide spectator hardstanding,
spectator stand accommodating 75 people, 3m wide footpath connecting
main access gate to existing footpath network, external synthetic
cricket nets with 3 bays incorporating steel cage and netting.
What about how it looks?
Tree planting along Elmhurst Road will be reinforced which will
increase the large canopy trees along this boundary and enhance the
parkland character of campus. It will also massively reduce noise and
light spill. Species of trees will include the Common Lime and the
Common Oak. They will include bat boxes and bug hotels.
What about disruption to the local community?
We have commissioned a detailed survey which confirms noise will not
increase for residents on Elmhurst Road (including for students in St
George’s) as a result of this pitch. We are not using flood lights, we
are using LED sports-lighting which falls to 5 lux (less than half as
bright as a street-light) a few metres outside the pitch. The light
doesn’t spill as far as the trees, or into the road, even at this low
level. The lights switch off on a timer.
Timeline
2016/17 |
Proposal from students and RUSU for a 3G pitch on campus. |
2017/18 |
Funding secured from the £1 Million Student Experience Capital
Fund.
|
2018/19 |
Plans for the pitch and planning application created |
May 2019 |
Planning application submitted to the council. |
July 2019 |
Planning application withdrawn due to unresolved community
complains about light, noise, ecology and cricket.
|
August 2019 |
Start of further work on light, noise, ecology, and cricket.
|
December 2019 |
Completion of further work on light, noise, and ecology. |
January 2020 |
Community exhibition. |
The plan then was originally as below, although things have been put on hold.
February 2020 |
Planning application submission. |
Spring 2020 |
Lime tree planting. |
Spring / Summer 2020 |
Planning application decision made. |
Summer 2020 |
Pitch construction. |
Summer 2020 onwards |
Landscape enhancements. |
Autumn 2020 |
Pitch completion! |