A SECONDARY school can kick-off its scheme to build a new sports pitch after planners gave the proposals the green light.

Henry Beaufort School at Harestock can now get moving on construction of an all-weather synthetic turf pitch at its East Woodhay Road site.

As well as meaning Henry Beaufort's sports lessons will not be affected by the weather, its seven feeder schools and youth football clubs from Winchester are also set to benefit.

Residents of homes in Buriton Road and Andover Road North, which adjoin the site earmarked for the new facility, objected to the scheme, saying the amount of light and noise would impact on their lives, as the pitch will be used until 9pm during the week and 4pm at weekends.

But Hampshire County Council's regulatory committee decided on Wednesday (November 28) that the benefits of a state-of-the-art pitch outweighed the effects on neighbours.

Henry Beaufort headteacher, Jonathan de Sausmarez, said current sports provision was more than 30 years old.

"As a school we need to extend our sports facilities, not only for our students but for the young people in our community," he said.

Councillors had been due to decide on the scheme in October, but, after representations from worried residents, decided to visit the site for themselves.

The plans include a 100m x 51m pitch and floodlights on the north-east part of the school site.

As well as being a major benefit to pupils, the pitch has been earmarked by the Hampshire Football Association as a priority.

Community development manager, Sacha Nicholas, said: "This project fully supports what we're trying to achieve for football in Hampshire."

He said it would help with training and would make sport more accessible for those with disabilities.

"From our point of view this is a very important facility," he added.

Tony Eade, a coach at Winchester Youth Football Club, said there were not enough pitches in the city and its environs.

He said: "We desperately need this proposed new pitch, which can be also used for other sports."

But people living near the site said their peace and quiet would be seriously harmed.

Mark Palmer, of Buriton Road, said: "We don't feel the school has fully taken into account the impact on our lives."

The plans included noise barriers around the pitch and landscaping, but Mr Palmer added: "The noise levels will still affect the residents and impact on their lives."

Stewart Dunn, of Andover Road North, said: "I am not against sports facilities for the school or the community, but this should not be provided at the expense of neighbours' quality of life."