Pitches fears on farmland
Controversial plans to create eight sports pitches on farmland near Stourbridge will "destroy the green lungs" of the area, according to objectors.
Old Swinford Hospital School and Haybridge High School want to transform the land at Trethens Farm, Worcester Lane, Hagley, for regular sporting events.
But neighbours slammed the plan claiming it would lead to more traffic, ruin views and would not benefit the whole community.
At a meeting of Dudley Council's development control committee last night members decided to delay a decision so they could see the site for themselves.
The scheme would see two fields divided into five pitches on one side and three on the other through extensive terracing work. A car park and toilets would also be created.
Resident Trudy Roe said the scheme was anti-social as the pitches would be used on weekends and evenings.
Councillor Les Jones said: "The green lungs of the area are for all people and this would take away more than a third of it. Once it has been lost there is no way of getting it back."
Old Swinford headteacher Melvyn Roffe said the scheme had been developed to aid the expansion of the two schools and to meet government health guidelines.
