PLANS to provide a Southampton school with an all-weather pitch funded by the Football Association have been given the green light.

The city council has approved an application submitted by Oasis Academy Mayfield, which sought consent for a 100m x 64m pitch behind homes in The Grove.

The floodlit facility will be used by the Academy during the day and by local clubs in the evening and at weekends.

It will occupy a site south west of the main school building, replacing part of the existing sports field.

A design and access statement that formed part of the application said the provision of an artificial grass pitch would ensure sports fixtures, curriculum activities and general training would not have to be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

It added: "The synthetic pitch will help raise the standard of play and training opportunities within the local area as well as hopefully enhancing pupil’s enjoyment of sport."

The application said a 4m-high acoustic fence would be built to minimise the amount of noise affecting people living along the western boundary of the site.

The proposed development would have "minimal visual impact" when viewed from neighbouring homes, thus satisfying planning policies which sought to ensure that new schemes were sympathetic to their surroundings.

Extra parking would not be needed as evening and weekend demand would be met by spaces normally used by the Academy during the day.

A report to councillors said the lighting columns would be 17m from the rear boundary of the nearest properties and 40m from the houses themselves.

"Environmental health are satisfied that the impact from operating hours, light spill and noise would not adversely harm the amenities of neighbouring residents given the mitigation measures proposed," it said.

"Vehicle access to the facility is from the school site itself, over 60m from the rear boundary of the neighbouring dwellings."

Only one local resident lodged an objection to the proposal, according to the council.

The new pitch will be open between 8am and 9pm on weekdays and between 8am and 6pm at weekends and on bank holidays.