Agenda item

The Planning Manager:

 

a)    Advised that the application sought permission for an artificial grass pitch to accommodate an 11 aside football pitch which would measure 106 metres in length and 70 metres in width.

 

b)    Reported that the pitch would be capable of accommodating a combination of youth football pitches, mini soccer pitches and training areas.

 

c)    Reported that the proposal also sought the installation of associated fencing to include 4.5 metre high ball stop fencing to the artificial grass pitch perimeter and a 3.5 metre acoustic fence.

 

d)    Advised members that the site was located on the existing grass sports pitches to the rear of Yarborough Leisure Centre and that residential developments adjoined the site from the properties on Anzio Crescent, with Lincoln Castle Academy and Yarborough Leisure Centre located to the south-east.

 

e)    Highlighted that the application was brought before the Planning Committee as the applicant was the City of Lincoln Council.

 

f)     Provided details of the policies pertaining to the application as follows:

 

·         National Planning Policy Framework;

·         Central Lincolnshire Local Plan;

·         LP23 – Local Green Space and other Important Open Space;

·         LP26 – Design and Amenity.

 

g)    Outlined the responses made to the consultation exercise, including a petition which included in excess of 200 signatures.

 

h)    Advised members of the main issues to be considered as part of the application, as follows:

 

·         Principle and Policy Context;

·         Visual Amenity;

·         Highways;

·         Sport England.

 

i)     Concluded that the proposed artificial grass pitch would be located on an area of grass which was currently used for informal playspace. The proposal formalised the space with an all-weather pitch and associated infrastructure which meant it could be used all year round. Appropriate measures had been taken to mitigate the impact on adjacent neighbours and it was considered that the use was appropriate given the surrounding context of existing sports uses.

 

Jinny Niven, nearby resident, spoke against the application and made the following points:

 

·         the noise impact assessment was not carried out whilst games were being played during the football season when the noise was at its loudest;

·         operation of this site for up to 98 hours a week would significantly increase the time that residents experienced increased noise levels, together with poor language and behaviour that was often heard by current use of the existing facility;

·         the noise impact assessment was not carried out within 150 metres of homes around the pitch and not on a Sunday morning when usage was at its highest;

·         the noise impact assessment was undertaken at ground level rather than at first floor height;

·         the application was within a residential area;

·         residents with hearing aids would be significantly impacted due to amplified noise;

·         increased levels of noise could result in people’s dogs reacting to the disturbance, resulting in a further noise problem for residents;

·         a few hours of usage per day could be tolerated by residents, but usage of up to 98 hours per week on the site could not be tolerated;

·         the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan stated that local amenities must not be unduly harmed by development and it was her view that amenities would be unduly harmed by this proposal, with people no longer being able to enjoy their homes and fellow residents having suggested that they would no longer wish to live in the area;

·         car parking was already challenging in the area and this would only get worse as a result of this proposal;

·         current iconic views of Lincoln Cathedral could be distorted for residents as a result of the proposal;

·         children, night workers and people who used the land for recreational purposes would all be detrimentally impacted as a result of this proposal, particularly in respect of the hours of use for the site which it was noted could operate until 10pm.

 

Simon Colburn, representing the applicant, spoke in favour of the application and made the following points:

 

·         the proposal represented part of a £1.8 million project to build two new artificial grass (3G) pitches;

·         lack of physical activity was linked to one in six deaths in the United Kingdom and nearly a quarter of children in Year 6 were obese, so the project and this application sought to put in place new facilities to address this issue. The main objective was therefore to get more people active in different ways;

·         the existing facilities in the area had been under review for some time with the fitness gym at Yarborough Leisure Centre having been renovated, together with the re-development of Leisure Centre at Birchwood;

·         there had been a proven demand for better facilities in this area, with a feasibility study indicating a specific demand for artificial grass pitches;

·         this application would provide opportunities to offer more demographics such as women’s football, disability football and walking football potentially;

·         the facility would be properly managed and run;

·         officers had recently met with local residents following a consultation event, which sought to alleviate any concerns;

·         charter clubs would be operating on the site, which would tackle any poor behaviour.

 

Members discussed the content of the report in further detail.

 

One member acknowledged the comments raised by the resident objecting to the application but said that consideration needed to be given to all people’s interests in the city. He was of the opinion that good facilities needed to be put in place and was interested in the facility’s management plan, which would detail specifically how issues such as anti-social behaviour and poor language and behaviour would be addressed. He questioned whether such a facility would see an increase or decrease in anti-social behaviour.

 

A member noted that questions had been raised in respect of the noise impact assessment and requested further clarity on this point.

 

The Planning Manager reported that a bespoke and site specific noise impact assessment was undertaken where it was considered that noise levels were acceptable and did not cause harm in accordance with criteria set by the World Health Organisation. This was dependant on mitigation methods, such as the acoustic fencing, which would be delivered as part of the scheme. It was acknowledged that residents would be able to hear activities taking place on the site and they would also be able to see the illumination of flood lights in the evening, but that the impact would not be so great to consider it as unacceptable. It was noted that the site was already an existing sports facility.

 

It was noted that Sports England had originally submitted an objection to this application which it had now retracted. Further information was requested on this issue.

 

The Planning Manager confirmed that Sports England had originally objected due to an absence of clarity regarding use of the facility and sustainability. These issues had since been addressed as part of the report and Sports England was now fully supportive of the scheme.

 

10pm in the evening was considered to be quite late for the facility to cease its operation, especially considering the residential nature of the area. A question was raised as to how strict that cut off time would be.

 

The Planning Manager stated that the planning condition associated with the hours of operation would be clearly defined and there would be a full expectation that the lights and use of the facility ceased at 10pm. Enforcement powers could be put in place to ensure that this occurred.

 

It was suggested that all residents who responded to the consultation process should be provided with a copy of the management plan for the facility, including a contact number that they could report any issues through.

 

The Planning Manager agreed that this was a good idea, but that it was probably beyond the remit of the Planning Committee to include consideration of this issue as part of any decision and associated conditions.

 

RESOLVED that the petition be received and that the application be granted conditionally.

 

Conditions

 

·         Development to commence within three years;

·         Development to be carried out in accordance with the plans;

·         Contaminated land – unexpected contamination;

·         Carried out in accordance with noise assessment;

·         Carried out in accordance with lighted details;

·         Hours of construction;

·         Hours of operation.