Environmental concerns surrounding rubber crumb-infilled 3G sports pitches have prompted Brighton and Hove councillors to commission an investigation into the associated risks.
Independent councillors Mark Earthey and Bridget Fishleigh pushed for research into the surfacing material that has become prevalent at all-weather athletic facilities across the area.
The Labour administration governing Brighton and Hove City Council backed the proposal but highlighted that no established alternatives are currently available.
They further suggested a formal review of whether planning rules might influence material choices.
At the full council meeting held on Thursday, March 26, Cllr Earthey pointed to both ecological and public health worries.
In Rottingdean, he explained that the issue had generated significant emotional response following Longhill High School’s securing of planning permission for a synthetic turf pitch the month prior.
He made clear the intention was not to revoke current 3G pitch approvals but to carry out a reasonable assessment of potential dangers.
Cllr Earthey, ward member for Rottingdean and West Saltdean, urged caution before proceeding with further rubber crumb installations.
He expressed concern that the reliance on rubber crumb approach was revealing increasingly problematic realities and called for vigilance.
Cllr Fishleigh, also representing the same electoral ward, showed councillors a sample of rubber crumb recovered from her offspring’s football boots.
She observed that those involved understand the environmental harm but feel they have limited choices.
The desire for football playable throughout the year meant she anticipated that rubber crumb would eventually be seen as an environmental mistake foisted upon the planet.
Labour councillor Theresa Fowler raised concerns about microplastics generally, noting their omnipresence, while accepting the lack of available substitutes.
She said sports bodies were increasingly focusing on this matter.
Monitoring was ongoing regarding trials in Sheffield testing six different replacement infill materials, with optimism these would produce a solution satisfying demand while reducing environmental footprint.
Green councillor Kerry Pickett recognised the value of exercise but cautioned that rubber crumb might affect respiratory wellbeing, naming options including olive pips, coconut fibre, and natural turf enhanced with biochar.
She stated the council had a moral responsibility to protect inhabitants, particularly vulnerable groups, from potential harm.
Removing existing crumb-based facilities was not feasible, but pressure could be applied for government alignment with European regulations and a ban on crumb deployment at new sites.
Conservative councillor Ivan Lyons confirmed his party supported 3G pitches employing rubber crumb as part of Boris Johnson’s 2021 community sport programme.
He noted that technical experts including Sport England and the Football Association continued to endorse 3G facilities for community benefit while working to identify viable replacements for rubber.
Councillors agreed to commission research into environmental and health hazards, current national and Sport England guidance, substitute materials, and how planning tools might shape material decisions.