PLANS to develop a site for an all-weather sports pitch have been given the support of Royston Town Council s planning committee. But members insisted on Monday evening that there should be restriction on the use of the pitch at night. They said that any

PLANS to develop a site for an all-weather sports pitch have been given the support of Royston Town Council's planning committee.

But members insisted on Monday evening that there should be restriction on the use of the pitch at night.

They said that any activity should end at 10pm to avoid a nuisance being caused through noise or floodlighting.

The proposal is to develop a site at The Meridian School, Royston, for the much-needed all-weather pitch.

The cost of the £650,000 project will be met with a promise of £150,000 from the Johnson Matthey Sports and Social Club and the hope of success in bids to Sport England and the Football Foundation.

Mike Thrower, chairman of the all-weather pitch committee, said last month that he had had a "positive" meeting with Sport England.

The hope is that work on the project will be completed in September 2009.

Cllr Bob Smith told members of the planning committee that there was "a strong need and desire" for an all-weather pitch.

Although Cllr Rod Kennedy said the pitch was "desperately needed", he warned: "This a community pitch and I trust that it is not taken over by the school."

Two weeks ago Dr Michael Firth, head teacher at The Meridian School, said: "If we get the pitch it will be a great facility for all the schools in the area and for the community.

"The use outside school hours could be massive," he said.