AN Oldham primary school’s plan to get permission for a new all-weather playing pitch has hit a bump in the road after neighbours expressed fears over traffic and parking.

Yew Tree Community School in Chadderton applied to create an artificial games area.

Bosses said it would give pupils more space to play sports and learn. Members of the public would also have been able to use the pitch.

The new pitch would also have been open to junior sports groups after school until 7pm, and throughout weekends and bank holidays until 1pm.

Residents living around the Alcester Street school voiced serious concerns over extra traffic.

Planning chiefs were told a petition opposing the plans had gathered 202 supporters.

Councillors on the borough’s planning committee agreed to defer a decision on the application until a more comprehensive traffic survey had been drawn up.

Objector Marilyn Camus said residents did not want to prevent the school having a new pitch, but said the community and commercial use aspect would add to already "horrendous" parking problems.

She said: “Like every other house near to a school we have to endure the daily drop off and pick up, parents blocking the drives, parking on street corners, parking on pavements.

“To some extent we have learnt to live with that. But now we are expected to tolerate a potential inconsiderate parking of vehicles, not only of an evening but also at weekends and bank holidays.

“Why should we have to live with this seven days a week – would you like to do so? Residents don’t seek to disrupt schooling in school time, but simply like to enjoy their own home.”

Head of school at Yew Tree, Rais Bhatti, told councillors the pitch would be entirely for the use by FA chartered junior football clubs, and as there was no lighting for the pitch, it could only be used into the evenings for part of the year.

He added: “I know the parking and traffic is an issue. The school have worked with the local residents and local council.

“The proposal now is that anyone who uses the new facility will park in the school car park so actually that will make things better not worse. It will have less impact for the residents.”

Addressing the committee on behalf of residents, Chadderton South councillor Graham Shuttleworth said: “There remains a highway problem in this area.

“The chances are people are not going to start parking on the car park, they’re going to start parking on the wide pavement because it’s easier.

“Where is the benefit consideration for those who live on Lancaster, Alcester, Arden and Gordon. The answer is none. Because everybody ignores the residents. The residents should be entitled to their peace and quiet.”

Committee chair Coun Steven Bashforth said: “It’s a laudable venture – but I have some experience of this kind of venture in other schools and I’m really concerned about access.”

Coun Barbara Brownridge suggested the application to be deferred so that the school could produce a parking strategy scheme, as she was also concerned the plan could exacerbate the ‘awfully bad’ problems on the roads.

Councillors unanimously voted for the deferment to get more information about the traffic and parking impact.