After years of fundraising, proposals and setbacks, Archway School has finally secured planning permission for a state-of-the-art rubber crumb AstroTurf pitch.
The decision, approved by Stroud District Council earlier this week, was met with celebration from students, staff, and local residents. The long-awaited facility is set to revolutionize sports provision at the school, offering a high-quality, all-weather floodlit playing surface.
Head of PE Mr Lewis Chapman expressed his excitement: “This development is a game-changer for Archway School.”
“We are creating a state of the art facility for our students in lessons and extra curricular sport, it is the catalyst for change across the school, replacing the old dilapidated redgra and turning it into a high quality grass sports playing field, then making the school a centre for athletics with improved infrastructure through Stroud Athletics club and the replacement of all weather cricket wickets. It really is the start of a very exciting time to be part of the school.”
Head teacher Mr Kieron Smith who has been working on the project for over three years added: “This project has been a vision of ours for many years. It will provide our students with first-class sports facilities and opportunities to thrive in the already highly successful area of physical education at Archway School. It’s also a resource we know the wider community will benefit from.”
The journey to secure planning permission has not been without challenges. Concerns were initially raised about potential noise, increased traffic, and light pollution from floodlights. However, the school worked closely with council planners and local residents to address these issues. Adjustments to the design, including lower-impact lighting systems and improved drainage to the local area helped pave the way for planning permission after the application had to be withdrawn 18 months ago.
Construction on the AstroTurf is expected to begin early next year, with completion anticipated by the summer term. Once finished, the facility will not only support PE lessons and extracurricular sports but also be available for hire to local clubs and organisations, fostering a stronger bond between the school and the community.
It transforms Archway into an even more powerful sports hub in Stroud for existing students, primary schools and the wider community.
