Agenda item

PROPOSAL: Installation of 3G sports pitch on the south side in place of the grassed sports field of Byron Court Primary School

RECOMMENDATION: To grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out within the report and that the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives to secure the matters set out within the report.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to make changes to the wording of the Committees decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions, informatives, planning obligations or reasons for the decision) prior to the decision being actioned, provided that the Head of Planning is satisfied that any such changes could not reasonably be regarded as deviating from the overall principle of the decision reached by the Committee nor that such change(s) could reasonably have led to a different decision having been reached by the Committee.

That the Committee confirms that adequate provision has been made, by the imposition of conditions, for the preservation or planting of trees as required by Section 197 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by the Secretary of State pursuant to the Consultation Direction.

Ms Victoria McDonagh (Team Leader, North) introduced the report and answered members’ questions. In reference to the supplementary report, she informed members that most of the additional concerns raised since the report was published had been addressed within the main report. In response to new concerns about ecology, she advised that the ecology report was produced by suitably qualified persons and carried out in line with an appropriate and recognised methodology. Having considered the information provided within the report, it was considered that the loss of ecological value (identified as being negligible) on site would not outweigh the benefit of the 3G pitch in terms of enabling play and providing additional community facilities. Ms McDonagh added that the proposed wildlife area within the school and the substantial hedgerows along the edges of the school site were to be retained as higher value areas for local significant wildlife species.

Mr Andrew Lloyd (applicant’s agent) highlighted the merits of the provision of sports facilities for the benefit of on-site school children and members of the wider community without material detriment to surrounding residential amenities in respect of appearance, visual impact and local highway.  He continued that the ecology report considered that the site was of negligible ecological significance, if any.

In response to members’ enquiries, Ms McDonagh provided the following; the 3G pitch had been designed with comprehensive drainage infrastructure to prevent any increase in the severity or contributing to local flood events. She added that the current playing field had been shown to be of negligible ecological value given its frequent use and short grass length. In terms of highways, she advised that the proposal would not materially affect local highways and parking capacities, given that the community uses would take place during off-peak periods and with staggered arrival times associated with booked time slots. Additionally, a travel plan was in place to work towards the reduction in car use for attending the school which already had a community access arrangement approved (relating to internal sports facilities and an outdoor multi use games area).

In welcoming the report, Members asked that the travel plan be added as a further condition.

DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended with an additional condition for a travel plan.

(Voting on the recommendation was unanimous: For 7, Against 0)