A CITY school has withdrawn contentious proposals for a £500,000 all-weather sports pitch because of its conversion to an academy later this year.

Queen’s Park High School had resubmitted its plans for the pitch, minus the controversial flood-lighting, following extensive consultation with locals, some of whom could have been affected by light pollution.

But the school has now decided to withdraw its planning application.

The decision was taken in light of the school’s impending conversion to academy status which will be completed later this year.

Headteacher Stephen Casey said: “Academy status will bring with it a number of challenges and opportunities for Queen’s Park High School.

“Looking ahead, there will need to be a whole school review of sports facilities including our current and future plans. We have therefore decided to withdraw our current planning application and to wait for Academy conversion before moving forward.”

The school says its decision to withdraw the sports pitch plan also takes account of on-going discussions between the school and its neighbours and the review of future plans ‘will recognise the needs of the local community’.

Mr Casey added: “Putting all our plans on hold as we wait for academy conversion gives everyone the chance to take stock and to start planning for what is going to be a very exciting future for the school.”