Sports field approved despite 500 letters of objection

A birds-eye view of a 3G pitch nestled among green fields and trees. Image source, Conwy Council/LDRS
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The residents also raised concerns about the microplastics used on the 3G pitch, which are banned in the EU due to safety fears

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Conwy council has approved plans for a 3G pitch at Ysgol y Creuddyn in Penrhyn Bay, despite more than 500 objections from local residents.

The decision has sparked concerns over noise, light pollution and anti-social behaviour for residents who live nearby.

They argued the council has ignored public opinion, calling the approval process “undemocratic”.

The pitch and its six floodlights will be built on fields behind the school at Derwen Lane.

After a planning committee meeting at Bodlondeb in October, Conwy council granted permission to build the artificial grass pitch, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Following several public meetings, the council received 567 objection letters, including two petitions, with 39 letters of support also received.

Image source, Google
Image caption,

Despite 567 objection letters and two petitions from locals, Conwy council said “due planning processes were followed”

Campaigner Linda Johnson said: “The decision is very undemocratic."

Adding that the council has failed to take "so many objections into consideration", she added: "The councillors are elected to represent the public, but they’ve not taken into consideration the impact this will have on residents.

“The community has not been shown any concern at all. Everything has been ignored, 500-plus objections compared to 40-odd letters of support.

“What was the point of those 500 people writing in objection?

“The school was there first, but the houses are here now, and people live in them 24/7."

A Conwy council spokesperson commented: “Due planning processes were followed by the authority in relation to this matter.”