Norwich City Council’s planning committee will decide on Thursday next week whether to approve the facility in Sloughbottom Park in Mile Cross.

The scheme forms part of a wider £7.6m revamp of the park, which also includes creating a 'destination' play area, refurbished pavilion and a new BMX track.

Planning officers have recommended the application be approved, arguing it will deliver modern, year‑round facilities in one of the city’s most deprived neighbourhoods and bring significant health and community benefits.

Sloughbottom Park in Norwich. (Image: Newsquest)

But the project has become engulfed in controversy, with campaigners warning the 3G surface could shed microplastics into nearby wetlands, including Sweet Briar Marshes and the Wensum.

Tiny microplastic fibres can take centuries to degrade, causing pollution in the environment.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust has formally objected, saying it supports the wider park improvements but cannot back the pitch because of the risk of pellets escaping into sensitive habitats.

Plans for the changes to Sloughbottom Park (Image: Norwich City Council)

The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs has called 3G pitches the biggest cause of "intentionally added microplastic pollution" in the environment.

The European Union has committed to banning the rubber crumb materials used in such pitches by 2031 but the UK has not made the same pledge.

Sloughbottom Park Pavilion (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Friends of Sloughbottom Park and Norwich Friends of the Earth also say the scheme amounts to a “partial privatisation” of public open space, raising fears over booking costs, reduced casual access and the future of community events.

The council insists the design follows Football Foundation guidance to contain rubber infill, with raised barriers, boot brushes, matting and filtered drainage, and says Natural England has not objected.

If approved, the pitch could operate until 10.15pm on weekdays and Saturdays and 8.15pm on Sundays and bank holidays, with the sports hub open slightly later.

© Norwich Evening News