Agenda item

The construction of a new Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with perimeter fencing.

The Principal Planner presented the application as outlined in the agenda report and explained that the application was before committee due to the officer recommendation being contrary to the objection raised by Sport England.  She also clarified that should committee be minded to approve this application it will be referred to the Secretary of State, via the Planning Casework Unit.

She stated that Sport England had raised concern regarding the lack of community use and how finances will be put in place to monitor and maintain the facility.

With the aid of slides she then proceeded to highlighted the application site and proposed plans including:

·         Proposed AGP will allow for greater all year-round use.

·         Athletics track will be re located to top of the site but does not undermine any use of the other sports pitches.

·         Further letter of objection had been received raising concern that AGP can get very hot in the summer months and that such surfaces can cause more injuries therefore a concern for the children.

The Principal Planner also highlighted the key considerations and summarised why each were not significant to warrant refusal as follows:

·         Principle and Scale and Design – Already an existing grass pitch and therefore no technical change of use.  Acknowledge the objection raised by Sport England but consider the requirement for community use, longer use of the facilities and that no flood lighting is to be installed believe this will provide much benefit to the pupils and development of sport that outweigh any detriment caused by the loss.

·         Highways and Parking – Given the nature of use and with no floodlighting proposed for evening use do not consider there are any highway safety or parking issues.

·         Residential Amenity – Recognise a previous planning application submitted in 2014, that had been refused.  This however was located at a different site within the school, bounded by residential properties with proposed flood lighting and of much greater community use. The current application is much smaller and in a different location with conditions to be imposed for hours of use.  A further application would also need to be submitted for any future lighting on the site.

She concluded that after considering all the responses and issues, as outlined in the agenda report, the application be referred to the Secretary of State, via the Planning Casework Unit, with the recommendation that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as set out in the agenda report.

In response to questions from members, the Principal Planner and Lead Specialist advised:

·         Consider this is already a well screened boundary and that there is a need to be reasonable to impose an additional condition for additional boundary treatment, although can be conditioned if members felt there was a need.

·         Clarified the Sport England objection of the proposal given the lack of opportunity for community use.

A member of the public then spoke in objection to the application. Their comments included:

·         Noise disturbance and increase in noise due to additional use.

·         Concern regarding future installation of floodlighting.

·         Ensure mitigation measures are put in place for bat population.

·         Impact on nearby historic listed building and environment.

·         Flood risk of nearby properties.

·         Landscape maintenance plan to ensure responsibility and maintenance of AGP.

The applicant then addressed the committee.  His comments included:

·         Will provide huge benefit to the students and future students at the school.

·         Use will run through the normal school day with no additional extension to evening use and is purely to supplement the school curriculum.

·         Allow more students to participate in good quality sport especially during the winter months where the field becomes unfit for use.

·         There is no change of use and therefore no increase in noise levels will occur.

Councillor Pauline Lock, ward member noted that Yeovil Town Council were in support of the application and believed it would be a huge benefit to the school and its students.  Acknowledged the comments made regarding noise but with appropriate boundary treatments would mitigate any concerns raised and therefore would support the application.

Councillor Wes Read, ward member voiced his support of the application but requested that appropriate measures are imposed for sufficient boundary treatment of the site.

During discussion, members raised several comments including:

·         Believed this was an excellent opportunity for the school to provide a quality all weather pitch that will allow the students access and the ability to engage in sport all year round.

·         Students already use the site for sports and therefore no increase in noise levels will occur.

·         Welcome a quality all weather pitch.

Members voiced their full support of the application, and it was proposed and seconded that the application be referred to the Secretary of State, via the Planning Casework Unit, with the recommendation that planning permission is granted subject to appropriate conditions as set out in the agenda report.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

In accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2021, this application should be referred to the Secretary of State, via the Planning Casework Unit, with the Local Planning Authority recommendation that planning permission is granted subject to appropriate conditions.

01.       The siting, scale and appearance of the proposed artificial grass sports pitch is acceptable in that it would be appropriate within the existing school grounds, would respects the character of the area and would no cause demonstrable harm to residential amenity.  This is subject to restriction on the hours of use and that no sports lighting is provided. The proposal would be of benefit to the school in providing a sports pitch able to be used in all weathers and would provide some use for the benefit of the community.

            The proposal is therefore in accordance with national and local planning policy including the aims and objectives of Policies HW3, EQ2, TA5 and TA6 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006-28) and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

            Reason: To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans reference:

            Location Plan NSPSA001

            Fencing Plan - NSPSA004 Rev E

            Line Marking Plan - NSPSA005 Rev C

            Cross Section NSPSA007 Rev C

            Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests .

03.       The Artificial Grass Pitch hereby approved shall not be used except between the hours of :-

            09:00 and 18:00 hours Mondays to Fridays;

            09:00 and 18:00 hours Saturdays; and

            09:00 and 16:00 Sundays and Bank Holidays.

            Reason: To minimise any potential nuisance and disturbance to neighbours and the surrounding area.

04.       No sports lighting or other external lighting shall be installed at the Artificial Grass Pitch hereby approved without the prior written agreement of the Local Planning Authority and planning permission if required.

            Reason: To minimise any potential nuisance and disturbance to neighbours and the surrounding area.

05.       Prior to the Artificial Grass Pitch hereby permitted first coming into use a Community Use Agreement shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority and shall be implemented as approved thereafter.

            Reason:  To ensure to provision of satisfactory benefit to the community

06.       Prior to the Artificial Grass Pitch hereby permitted first coming into use a Community Use Agreement shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority and shall be implemented as approved thereafter.

            Reason:  To ensure to provision of satisfactory benefit to the community.

07.       Prior to commencement of development hereby approved a Construction Traffic Management Plan and programme of works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Plan shall include construction vehicle details (number, size, type and frequency of movement), vehicular routes, delivery hours and contractors' arrangements (compound, storage, parking, turning, surfacing, drainage and wheel wash facilities). The development shall thereafter be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved Construction Traffic Management Plan.

            Reason: In the interests of road safety and the amenity of nearby residents.

08.       Prior to the Artificial Grass Pitch hereby permitted first coming into use a revised School Travel Plan to include reference to the Artificial Grass Pitch hereby approved shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The School Travel Plan shall be implemented as approved thereafter.

            Reason: In the interests of road safety and the amenity of nearby residents, and to promote sustainable transport.

09.       Prior to the commencement of development details of surface water drainage schemes for the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall subsequently be implemented prior to the completion of the development.

            Reason: To ensure adequate facilities are provided in the interests of flooding and pollution.

(voting: unanimous)