Fury Over £700k Pitch Ban After Referees’ Whistles Upset Locals
Residents are outraged as Cornwallis Academy can’t use its new pitch due to noise complaints from referees’ whistles
Cornwallis Academy, Maidstone, Kent, Noise Complaints, 3G Pitch, Community
Maidstone: So, there’s this big fuss going on at Cornwallis Academy. They’ve got this shiny new 3G pitch that cost a whopping £700,000, but guess what? They can’t use it! The reason? The sound of referees’ whistles is driving the neighbors up the wall.
Since August, the students haven’t been able to play on it, and the school can’t even rent it out to local teams. That’s a bummer because it was supposed to be a source of income for them. The whole thing started when the school applied for planning permission back in 2022. They promised the pitch would be available for community use after school hours, but the council got worried about the noise.
Instead of building a sound barrier, the school just did a theoretical noise survey. It claimed the only real noise would come from the whistles, not from cheering fans. So, they suggested a “no-whistle” rule for games outside school hours. The council went along with it, but it never really happened. Whistles were blown, and the neighbors started complaining.
One resident even reported the council for not enforcing the rules, which led to a threat of action against the school. Now, because of this mess, the pitch can’t be used at all, even during school hours. Both the school and the council are scrambling to fix things.
The school has done another noise survey, claiming the pitch is now quiet enough, but many neighbors disagree. The council is also questioning whether they even had the right to impose a no-whistle rule in the first place. They can’t control the noise from other pitches nearby, so it’s all a bit of a pickle.
To try and sort it out, the school has submitted a new application to lift the whistle ban. Planning officers were ready to recommend it, but the council’s environmental health officer sided with the neighbors, saying the noise is just too much. There’s a meeting coming up to discuss it, and it’s clear that the locals are fed up.
Some residents have sent in letters supporting the application to lift the ban, while others are firmly against it. They feel like people who don’t live nearby don’t understand how disruptive the noise really is. One resident even mentioned that they were promised it would be quieter than a normal conversation, but instead, they’re dealing with loud shouting and whistles all week long.
Another mom shared how the noise is affecting her son, who has ADHD. She said it’s making it hard for him to sleep, which is impacting his school performance. Others echoed similar sentiments, saying they can’t enjoy their gardens or keep their windows open because of the racket.
Some neighbors have taken matters into their own hands, recording the noise levels themselves. They’re not happy with the school’s claims about how loud it is. It’s clear that the community is feeling the strain, and they want some relief from the constant noise and light from the pitch.
Local councillors are also weighing in, suggesting that the school and residents need to come together to find a solution. They’re looking for ways to balance the school’s needs with the residents’ peace and quiet. The school’s spokesperson has expressed how important the pitch is for their physical education program and the local community.
They’re hoping the upcoming meeting will help resolve the situation so everyone can benefit from the facility without the noise complaints. Fingers crossed they can find a way to make it work for everyone!