Issue - meetings

Reccomendation: Conditional approval.

Proposal:Full planning application for the demolition of existing store building attached to sports hall and erection of all-weather multi-use games area with floodlighting columns.

Applicant: Director of Waingels Academies Trust

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 15 to 37.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

·         Following a consultation with Sports England, conditions 5 and 9-12 regarding Construction of Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), Certification of Artificial grass Pitch, Community Use Agreement, Management and Maintenance Scheme and the Cricket square were revised;

·         A revision to condition 6 clarifying the operations of the sports pitch when not in use.

Tom Barker, Woodley Town Council, spoke in objection to the application. He raised concerns over the disposal of construction waste and the hours of operation. He was of the opinion that a 9pm limit on hours of use would be more acceptable for weekday usage and that due to the semi-rural location that Sunday use would disrupt tranquillity. He stated that he had concerns about the noise from the usage of the MUGA and asked for the acoustic barrier to be extended.

Bill Bell, Resident, spoke in objection to the application. He raised concerns regarding light spillage and potentially excessive noise from use of the MUGA. He stated that his property (located in Copse Mead) would be in direct view of the floodlighting. He raised concerns over how nocturnal wildlife in the area would be affected by the floodlighting. He asked that should the application be approved that mature trees be planted on the application boundary to reduce the impact of light spillage. Mr Bell proceeded to read a statement from another resident Stephen Mortimer. He stated that Mr Mortimer was concerned over the times of use whereby in the late evening excess noise would be heard resulting from use of the MUGA. He asked for an acoustic fence to be built on the boundary of the application and his property (located in Denmark Avenue) should the application be approved.

Andy Carter, Agent, spoke in support of the application. He stated that the current build of Waingels College had remained the same since 2012 with some of the sports facilities predating this. He added that Sports England had noted a need for additional sports facilities in the area, which the construction of the new MUGA could provide. He stated that the MUGA would be 100m away from the nearest property in Denmark Avenue. It was noted that a lighting consultant had assessed the floodlighting plans and had concluded that there would be minimal light spillage to the surrounding area. He stated that evening parking would be available within Waingels College to alleviate concerns over parking in residential areas for evening use.

Keith Baker, Ward Member, spoke in objection of the application. He stated that the new MUGA would be 250m closer to residential properties in Denmark Avenue than the previous sports pitch. He raised concerns about the height of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88