Upgrades signed off for ‘pretty much dead’ Cambridge sports pitch

Plans have been signed off to replace a ‘worn’ sports pitch in Cambridge with a new improved pitch. Officers at Cambridge City Council said the existing 2G artificial pitch in Coldhams Common had reached the end of its lifespan and needed to be replaced. A new 3G artificial pitch is proposed to replace it, alongside new lighting, fencing, and pathways.

Councillors considered the proposals at a planning committee meeting this week (July 3). A planning officer told councillors that the surface of the existing pitch was “quite worn in places” as it had been well used over the years. Officers said the 2G pitch had been installed around 2011 and 2012 and had now come to the end of its lifespan.

They explained that a 2G pitch is more suited to people playing hockey, which they said was the main usage of the pitch back when it was installed. However, they said new hockey pitches had since been created elsewhere, and explained the city council was now looking to install a 3G pitch, which they said would be more suited to sports such as football.

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Officers added that 50 cycle parking spaces would be provided and that the new fencing proposed would help prevent vandalism seen in the area. Councillor Naomi Bennett said the existing pitch was “pretty much dead” and said there was a lot of support in the area for the improvements proposed.

Councillor Martin Smart raised questions about how the upgrades could impact any bats living or travelling through the area. Officers explained that the new lighting would be brighter on the actual pitch, but said the light spillage into the wider area would be reduced from what is currently there. Councillors voted unanimously to support the plans.

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