New special pitches planned for Blackburn school

A BLACKBURN school complex which caters for children who struggle to thrive in mainstream education is set to get two new multi-use games areas.

Councillors have been recommended to approve the new green astroturf pitches for The Heights Free School in Heys Lane.

They will also be used by the neighbouring Eden School.

The proposal which also includes the provision of 21 new car parking spaces is recommended for approval with nine conditions when Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee meets on Thursday night.

The Heights specialises in alternative provision for 150 young people in Key Stages 2 to 4 who find it difficult to be successful in a mainstream school environment. Pupils are taught in small groups.

The Eden School is for 60 pupils with emotional and mental health difficulties.

There is currently no outside play space or facilities for KS2-KS4 pupils at the schools which have received funding to improve and expand the quality of the

school, to give their pupils an education in a setting that will contribute to, not get in the way of, them achieving positive outcomes

A report by planning manager Gavin Prescott tells councillors: “The application is reported to committee on account of the site being council-owned to be leased to the applicant.

“The site measures 12,124 square metres.

“It comprises a car park and a wild grassed area.

“The site is accessed from Heys Lane.

“Full planning permission is sought for two 4G Multi-Use Game Areas (MUGA’s) and the creation of additional car parking, comprising 21 spaces.

“The MUGA’s would be sited to the eastern boundary with the new car park accessed off the existing carpark.

“The MUGA’s would measure 36.57 metres by 19metres.

“They would be predominately used for 5-aside football with occasional multi use during school hours.

“A three metre high sports mesh fence would be installed to the perimeter of both pitches.

“The application emphasises that the MUGA’s would not be used outside of school hours, thereby negating the need floodlighting.

“No aspect of the development would give rise to significant impact on residential amenity.

“The development would make a positive contribution, insofar as the MUGA’s would benefit students at the schools from much needed additional / improved

outdoor activity space.

“It is submitted that car parking has been a longstanding issue.

“As the schools are not mainstream, students attend from a wide catchment, typically by private car, school minibus or local authority transport.

“The proposal is typical of its nature and functional in appearance.

“As an intervention which would be read as an adjunct to the existing school confines, it would appear entirely in context with its surroundings.”