A Clifton ward councillor has expressed his disappointment at the approval of a planning application at St Peter's School in York. The application was for new multi-use games areas, incorporating tennis and netball courts and a synthetic grass pitch. Clifton councillor David Scott said, who had registered his objections to the proposal, said:

"I'm extremely sorry to see this application approved. There are existing issues around the school which are already having a detrimental affect on residents' lives, and this development will only make them worse. Residents of North Parade and Queen Anne's Road have to contend with illegal parking on a frequent basis, and they do not deserve to this added to".

Councillors voted by 5 votes to 4 in favour of the development, but Coun. Scott feels the committee did not take into account the disruption both in the short and long term of the development.

He said:

"I have been supportive in the past of certain improvements St Peter's School has proposed, as I will be in future if they are the right ones. But it has to be said that one of the major reasons for my objecting to this proposal is because the school has not demonstrated sufficient concern for local residents.

"Commitments have been made that have not been adhered to, which has led to a breakdown in trust between local residents and the school. That is not a constructive way to go about doing things; the school should be working closely with residents to ensure there is trust and confidence in dealings between the two parties.

"I also share residents' concerns about the risk of flooding with this development. The footpath next to Westminster Road often floods and this can only increase that likelihood in the future".