Agenda item

Report by Head of Sustainable Development (PN7)

 

This application is for the construction of a new synthetic Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) at Eynsham Primary School. The application also involves the erection of 3m high fencing around the perimeter of the proposed MUGA and, the erection of four 6.7m high floodlight columns. Objections have been received to the proposal and the local County Councillor has requested that the application be determined by the Planning & Regulation Committee. The report describes the development, outlines the consultation replies and objections along with other responses to the application and relevant planning policies along with comments by the Head of Sustainable Development.

 

It is RECOMMENDED that Application No. R3.0037/10  be approved subject to conditions to be determined by the Head of Sustainable Development to include the following matters:

 

1.                  The development must be carried out strictly in accordance with the particulars contained in the application and the plans.

2.                  Commencement of the development within 3 years.

3.                  Submission of further details to indicate layout of pitches within the MUGA.

4.                  Floodlights to be compliant with the Institute of Lighting Engineers Guidance Note.

5.                  Submission of full details of proposed floodlighting, cowling and predicted overspill levels of light.

6.                  Site assessment of lighting levels from floodlights and implementation of any remedial action that may be required.

7.                  That the hours of use for community purposes shall be restricted to 4.00pm – 9.00pm (Monday – Friday) and 9.00am – 5.00pm (Saturday) during term time and, 9.00am – 9.00 (Monday – Friday) and 9.00am – 5.00pm (Saturday) during the school holidays.

8.                  Submission, agreement and implementation of a community use management agreement plan.

9.                  Submission and agreement of contractors working hours, delivery times of materials and site compound. 

10.             Submission of full details (including the location) of the proposed footpath between the car park and the MUGA.

11.             Tree and hedgerow protection measures.

 

Archaeological informative – If archaeological finds do occur during development, the County Archaeologist shall be notified in order that he may visit the site and advise as necessary.

 

Ecological informative - If any protected species not initially surveyed for are found at any point, all work should cease immediately. Work should not recommence until a full survey has been carried out, a mitigation strategy prepared and licence obtained (if necessary) in discussion and agreement with Natural England.

 

 

 

 

 

The Committee considered (PN7) an application for the construction of a new synthetic multi use games area at Eynsham Primary School.

 

Dr Wright claimed there were inaccuracies in the report. The boundary of the conservation area as shown on the plan was incorrect; the right of way was a bridleway and not a footpath and the pumping station had been removed in 1980.  Residents of Cassington Road had been concerned regarding hours of operation and lighting although they were now reasonably happy with the amended hours being proposed.  He hoped that consideration could be given to resiting the area slightly to the north. Concerns over the line of drains were unfounded and such a move would take the facility further away from neighbouring properties and afford extra protection for three trees in the corner of the site. He also advised that safeguards for archaeological finds needed to be incorporated and work was required to the boundary fence along the line of the bridleway.

 

Responding to Councillor Service he accepted that similar facilities elsewhere operated to longer hours but generally they were more isolated than this site.

 

Angela Cox challenged the accusations that there had been a lack of consultation for this proposal and confirmed that there had been a consultation evening and letters delivered personally by the school secretary.  There had been objections from people who neither lived nearby to the site or could even see it.  These were not proposals for a stadium but for a  small facility to enable children to play throughout the year and provide a small local facility for out of school.  A compromise had been reached regarding hours, lighting concerns would be met through modern lighting systems and there was adequate parking.  Resiting of the site to the north would limit the space available to accommodate other facilities and the school had already compromised on hours of use.  She did not expect any archaeological finds and in any event preparatory work would not be to any great depth.

 

 Responding to:

 

Councillor Hayward – she advised that the suggested site represented the best option if only for convenience of access.

 

Councillor Service – there would be minimal spillage from the lights.

 

Councillor Lilly –use on Sundays would be preferable but the school had tried to reach a compromise on the issue of hours of use.

 

During discussion on the application some members of the Committee felt that the school should be given the option of utilising the facility as much as possible, although others expressed some concern regarding noise.

 

Councillor Hallchurch moved and Councillor Hannaby seconded that Application R3.0037/10 be approved in the terms of the recommendation as set out in the report.

 

Councillor Tanner then moved an amendment to increase the hours of operation by allowing use on Sundays between 9.30 am – 1.00 pm.

 

Officers advised that that amendment could be considered as the original application had sought hours of use on a Sunday between 9.00 am and 6.00pm.

 

A further amendment was then moved by Councillor Service to include an additional condition seeking submission of final details of the siting of the MUGA to be considered. 

 

Both amendments were duly seconded and accepted by the mover and seconder of the original motion.

 

The substantive motion was then put to the Committee and -

 

RESOLVED: (by 7 votes to 6) that Application No. R3.0037/10  be approved subject to conditions to be determined by the Head of Sustainable Development to include the following matters:

 

1.                  The development must be carried out strictly in accordance with the particulars contained in the application and the plans.

2.                  Commencement of the development within 3 years.

3.                  Submission of further details to indicate layout of pitches within the MUGA.

4.                  Floodlights to be compliant with the Institute of Lighting Engineers Guidance Note.

5.                  Submission of full details of proposed floodlighting, cowling and predicted overspill levels of light.

6.                  Site assessment of lighting levels from floodlights and implementation of any remedial action that might be required.

7.                  That the hours of use for community purposes should be restricted to 4.00pm – 9.00pm (Monday – Friday), 9.00am – 5.00pm (Saturday) and 9.30 am – 1 pm (Sundays) during term time and 9.00am – 9.00 (Monday – Friday), 9.00am – 5.00pm (Saturday) and 9.30 am – 1 pm (Sundays) during the school holidays.

8.                  Submission, agreement and implementation of a community use management agreement plan.

9.                  Submission and agreement of contractors working hours, delivery times of materials and site compound. 

10.             Submission of final details of the siting of the MUGA.

11.             Submission of full details (including the location) of the proposed footpath between the car park and the MUGA.

12.             Tree and hedgerow protection measures.

 

Archaeological informative – If archaeological finds did occur during development, the County Archaeologist should be notified in order that he might visit the site and advise as necessary.

 

Ecological informative - If any protected species not initially surveyed for were found at any point, all work should cease immediately. Work should not recommence until a full survey had been carried out, a mitigation strategy prepared and licence obtained (if necessary) in discussion and agreement with Natural England.