Issue - meetings

Variation of Conditions 12 (All-Weather Pitch Hours of Use) and 13 (All-Weather Pitch Restriction of Use) of planning permission ref. 2082/APP/2007/1411 dated 11-09-2007 (Removal of existing building and construction of new early years centre and relocation of all-weather sports surface playing field (approved under planning application ref. 2082/APP/2003/1103) including details of design and layout) to change the permitted operating hours and use of the all-weather pitch.

Recommendations: Approve + Sec 106

RESOLVED:

1.    That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Planning and PPA Lead Officer, in consultation with the Chairman, to draft an informative to ensure any future floodlighting applications at the site be brought back to Committee for consideration;

2.    That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Planning and PPA Lead Officer, in consultation with the Chairman, to amend Condition 14 to ensure temporary consent is granted for a 24-month temporary period;

3.    That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Planning and PPA Lead Officer, in consultation with the Chairman, to expand Condition 15 to include a noise complaint procedure;

4.    That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Planning and PPA Lead Officer, in consultation with the Chairman, to amend Condition 9 to ensure activities are supervised by a Coach or Club Member and that no championships or tournaments are held at the application site; and

5.    That the application be approved.

Variation of Conditions 12 (All-Weather Pitch Hours of Use) and 13 (All-Weather Pitch Restriction of Use) of planning permission ref. 2082/APP/2007/1411 dated 11-09-2007 (Removal of existing building and construction of new early years centre and relocation of all-weather sports surface playing fields (approved under planning application ref. 2082/APP/2003/1103) including details of design and layout) to change the permitted operating hours and use of the all-weather pitch.

Officers introduced the application. Members heard that planning permission was sought to amend conditions in relation to hours of use and who was permitted to use the sports pitch. The proposal was to extend the hours of use to 09:00-21:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00-18:00 on Saturdays and 10:00-16:00 on Sundays. Use by the wider community on a managed basis was also proposed. It was considered that the noise nuisance risk was low, and a Noise Mitigation and Management Plan would be submitted prior to use of the all-weather playing surfaces during evening hours (18:00-21:00). It was considered that a reason for refusal based on noise would not be robust or defendable at appeal. No flood lighting was proposed in the current application. The Highways Authority had been consulted and it was considered that the proposal was unlikely to have a significant impact on the highway. In respect of air quality, the application site was in the catchment area of a LBH Focus Area hence a S106 agreement of £12,222 was payable to Hillingdon to deliver air quality measures.

A petition had been received in objection to the proposal. The lead petitioner was in attendance and addressed the Committee. Key points highlighted included:

·         There were 52 flats in the Glen where people of all age groups resided. The Glen lay close to the application site and the noise emanating from the application site was already difficult to bear;

·         The area lay within the Northwood Town Centre Green Lane Conservation Area and maintenance of the stream was key;

·         If the application were to be approved, residents of The Glen would be subjected to additional noise, light and air pollution;

·         Wildlife in the area had halved in recent years – bees, frogs, hedgehogs and birds were rarely seen;

·         The Police Station change of use application had been refused due to traffic, air pollution and noise concerns;

·         Petitioners did not agree that the impact of traffic overspill onto The Glen would be negligible;

·         The air quality mitigation of £12,222 would serve no purpose as it would not resolve pollution concerns – more mature trees should be planted to absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen;

·         At the very least, the sports pitch should not be used on Sundays.

In response to questions from Members, the lead petitioner stated that parking issues could occur at any time of day. The roads in the Glen were of a standard width. To date no direct representations to Councillors or the school had been made in respect of the noise nuisance. The lead petitioner confirmed that residents of the Glen had a good  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25