AN ONLINE survey suggests plans for a new all-weather pitch in Otley are being backed by most residents.

Prince Henry’s Grammar School, supported by a number of local clubs and the Football Foundation, is hoping to build the £710,000, floodlit facility on the field at the front of its main site.

The proposal has sparked alarm amongst neighbouring households who fear the resulting light and noise would ruin their peace and quiet.

Prince Henry’s recently launched an online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Y2WPBVT . Although the survey is still running, Headteacher Janet Sheriff says the results to date show a clear majority in favour of the project.

She said: “We are aware of the worries expressed by our neighbours and have been in consultation with them since an initial meeting in mid-May. We appreciate that the plans are a concern for residents who live next to the proposed site.

“We are still in the final stages of designing the pitch and have taken into consideration many of their views. They said that they were concerned about noise and light spillage. As a result, we have altered* the original design.”

In regards to the survey, she added: “There have been more than 500 responses so far, of which more than 83 per cent are positive. Only 12 per cent of respondents have said that they would not support the pitch.”