Agenda item

To consider report PES/447cof the Head of Economy and Planning.

RECOMMENDATION to delegate the decision to PERMIT.

The Committee considered report PES/447c and PES/447c(2) of the Head of Economy and Planning which proposed as follows:

Replacement of existing pitch with 3G football turf pitch (3G FTP) (8962 sq. metres) and associated works including erection of new fencing with entrance gates to form an enclosure around the pitch perimeter, replacement pitch barriers and installation of a storage container within the 3G FTP enclosure. Erection of 6 no. 15.0 m high floodlights around the 3G FTP perimeter with led luminaires. Resurfacing and extension of hard-standing areas. Erection of 2.5 m high acoustic fence.

Councillors Ali, Jaggard, S Mullins, Mwagale, Nawaz, and Pritchard declared they had visited the site.

The Principal Planning Officer provided a verbal summation of the application, which sought the removal of the existing grass football pitch and replacement with a synthetic 3G pitch (and related works) at Three Bridges Football Club.  The Officer highlighted that, since the publication of the initial report, an issue had arisen regarding encroachment of the proposed fence on to existing trees.  This had required a supplementary report to be published, which set out an additional condition in order to resolve the issue.  The Officer then gave details of the various relevant planning considerations as set out in the report.

Paul Faili, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  Matters raised included:

·       The current facilities were inadequate as they were not well-lit or safe for use in all weathers.  The installation of a 3G pitch would increase its versatility and resilience.

·       A 2020 report by the Council had identified a deficit of four full-size pitches in Crawley.  The proposals would double the number of users of the facilities.

·       The proposals would facilitate outreach work with local groups and community organisations and support the club’s youth development policy.

Brenda Burgess, Ward Councillor for Three Bridges, spoke on the application.  Matters raised included:

·       There were concerns that increased usage of the facilities would lead to greater noise levels at the site.

·       It was hoped that any disruption to local residents had been considered when taking into account increased light pollution and increased noise, such as from officials’ whistles.

·       The proposal would otherwise be a benefit to the local community.

The Committee then considered the application.  Following a query from a Committee member about the impact of construction works on neighbours of the site, the Officer confirmed that a construction management plan was required as part of condition 3 which would cover matters such as the delivery of materials and vehicular access to the site.  A query was also raised regarding the proposed floodlights, which were confirmed to be of the same height and position as the existing floodlights.  The lights were more efficient and a lighting impact assessment had been undertaken to ensure there was minimal glare to neighbours.

Committee members discussed the drainage proposals set out in the application.  It was recognised that the lack of irrigation needed for the proposed artificial pitch (compared to the existing grass pitch) would offset any increase in water usage caused by the projected higher number of users.  It was queried as to whether a rainwater recycling scheme had been considered in order to reuse run-off water from the pitch area.  The Officer explained that this did not form part of the application, and may have been too complex or cost-prohibitive due to the nature and materials of a 3G pitch.

The Committee then moved to a vote on the application.

RESOLVED

Delegate the decision to permit the application to the Head of Economy and Planning, subject to:

·       the conclusion of consultation with Natural England under the Habitats Regulations;

·       the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement securing community use and pitch certification;

and the conditions set out in report PES/447c (including additional condition 10 as set out in report PES/447c(2)).