NEW fencing and netting could be put up around a £2 million 3G pitch at a comprehensive school a year after the facility opened.
The artificial grass rugby and football pitch opened at Abersychan Comprehensive School last year and as part of the same project its existing netball courts were also refurbished.
Torfaen Borough Council’s education department has asked the planning department for permission for three-metre-tall ball-stop fencing along the touchline of the 3G pitch running parallel to the back gardens of homes on Ffrwyd Road.
It has also asked for permission for two metre high netting on existing fencing behind the goals at the Frwyd Road end of its four netball courts.
A spokeswoman for Torfaen council said: “The application has been made following a request from the school to stop balls leaving the courts and pitches.”
The full council agreed in June 2023 to use money from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund for a 3G pitch to replace an older artificial pitch at the school.
When planning permission was granted in June 2024 councillors were told the steel-mesh fencing surrounding the pitch will vary in height with its tallest point being five metres high behind each goal end with three metre high netting above it.
The school has had use of the facilities since April 2025 while they have been available for hire to the community, including in the evenings and at weekends, since July that year.
The planning department is considering the application and members of the public have until Thursday, October 22 to comment.