A REQUEST to play football until 10pm on Sunday nights was rejected unanimously by the council.

Elite Soccer, who were recently granted permission to build 10 floodlit football pitches in Ashton Playing Fields, wanted to extend agreed closing times of 10pm Monday to Friday and 9.30pm on the weekend.

The company wished to extend the times to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 10pm on Sundays.

But despite hearing that the football players using the pitches are subject to the FA code of conduct, the committee rejected the application due to concerns of noise disturbance for nearby homes.

Elite Soccer will create eight five-a-side pitches and two seven-a-side pitches on the site in Chigwell Road, Woodford Green, as well as a new clubhouse.

Local schools and charities will be given access to the facilities free of charge.

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