Referees have been banned from blowing their whistles on a £700,000 football pitch at Cornwallis Academy near Maidstone after neighbours complained about noise. The ban, imposed by Maidstone Council, has left the pitch unused since August, affecting both the school and local sports clubs.
The pitch was built in January 2023 with a condition that whistles would not be used outside school hours. However, the rule was not enforced, leading to complaints from residents about noise from whistles, shouting, and fence rattling lasting into evenings and weekends.
One resident reported the council for failing to enforce the condition, forcing the authority to threaten enforcement action. As a result, the pitch cannot be used at all, even during school hours, until the issue is resolved.
The school has conducted a noise survey showing minimal disturbance, but neighbours dispute this. A planning committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday to decide whether to lift the whistle ban. So far, 49 letters support lifting the ban, while 19 oppose it.
Mason Dixon, spokesman for the Future Schools Trust, said the restriction has disrupted the PE curriculum and prevented community use. He expressed hope that the meeting will resolve the matter and allow the facility to be fully utilised.
