Referees Banned from Whistling on £700,000 Pitch Due to Noise Complaints
A new sports pitch in Maidstone is unused as referees can’t blow whistles after noise complaints from local residents
Maidstone, Kent, Cornwallis Academy, Noise Complaints, Football Pitch
Maidstone: So, there’s this new sports pitch at Cornwallis Academy that cost a whopping £700,000, but guess what? Referees can’t even blow their whistles there anymore. Neighbors got really upset about the noise, and now the pitch is just sitting there, unused.
Since August, the school hasn’t been able to use the pitch at all. Local sports clubs that usually play there on weekends are also out of luck. The council had concerns about noise during the pitch’s construction, and the school agreed to a no-whistle rule outside school hours. But that didn’t stick, and the complaints started rolling in.
People living nearby say the noise from the whistles has been a real nuisance, especially since it goes on late into the evenings and even on weekends. One resident got so fed up that they reported the council for not enforcing the rules, which led to the council threatening action against the school.
Now, because of this mess, the pitch can’t be used at all, even during school hours. The school and the council are trying to figure things out, but it’s been a bit of a struggle. A noise survey from the school claims the pitch isn’t that loud, but the neighbors are saying otherwise.
There have been a ton of letters sent to the council about lifting the whistle ban, but not everyone is on board. Some locals feel like those who don’t live nearby don’t really understand how disruptive the noise can be.
One mom even shared how the noise is affecting her son, who has ADHD. She said it’s making it hard for him to sleep, which is really impacting his mood and focus at school. It’s a tough situation for everyone involved.
Dave and Val Sanderson, who live close by, are among the many who’ve complained. They’re okay with the school using the pitch, but the noise from outside activities is driving them crazy. The school has set up a complaints line, but it seems like a lot of people have given up trying to report issues because nothing seems to change.
Mason Dixon from the Future Schools Trust, which runs the academy, said the inability to use the pitch has really messed up their physical education program. They’re hoping a planning committee meeting will help sort this out so everyone can enjoy the facility without the noise issues.