CONTROVERSIAL plans to build an outdoor games area at a Bournemouth secondary school are set to be approved, despite a wave of objections.

The original application to build a six court multi-use games area at St Peter’s School in St Catherine’s Road prompted 64 letters of protest by residents concerned about a potential increase in traffic, parking problems, litter and noise.

The proposals were scaled back, with the removal of floodlights and the number of tennis and netball courts reduced to four, but still sparked 13 repeat objections from residents and three letters of support for the application.

Sport England also objected, claiming the proposal would prejudice the existing playing field and prevent pitches from being marked out.

The application is now set to be considered by Bournemouth’s planning committee today, with officers recommending permission is granted.

The planning report states the multi-use games area and three metre high fence will be built on part of the existing school playing fields and ‘will not appear overbearing or oppressive upon neighbouring residential amenity’.

It adds: “It is important to take account of the fact that this is a school playing field where some element of disturbance to neighbours is inevitable.”