A CONSULTATION has been re-launched for the public’s opinions on expansion plans at Robert May’s School, that could see a new pitch built.

Plans had previously been submitted that would have seen a new, full-sized, multi-purpose pitch built on Bufton Field. Permission was granted.

However, the three-year deadline in which development must take place passed last month, sparking Hampshire County Council to relaunch their consultation on “a very similar sports pitch proposal”.

The new application reduces the area of the planned development, increases the area of fencing and levels the southern pitch.

If planning permission is granted, work will begin this summer.

Hampshire County Council say in the planning consultation: “The existing school site is currently undersized compared to Department for Education (DfE) guidelines and there is a need to acquire additional land suitable for playing field use, to meet the needs of both the existing and any planned increase in school capacity.

“It is considered that the most suitable land to expand the school’s playing field capacity comprises of an adjoining, presently unmanaged area of open land on the eastern side of the existing school site known as Bufton Field.

“This has an area of approximately 2.8 hectare (6.9 acres) and it is proposed that it will be used by the school to create a 115 x 64m playing surface to allow for either full sized rugby or football pitch markings and a 70 x 50m second pitch area to allow for 7 v 7 football pitch markings.”

Hampshire County Council’s consultation closes on March 6, 2020. You can have your say by emailing strategicplanningunit@hants.gov.uk. More information can be found at http://bit.ly/2w3alot.