Construction of an external 3G artificial turf pitch with fencing and a storage container.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(182950 - Construction of an external 3g artificial turf pitch (atp) with fencing and a storage container at Ted Powell building.)

(Councillor Norman had left the meeting and was not present during consideration of this application.)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application, and updates/additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet, as appended to these Minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr S Kerry, of Hereford City Council spoke in opposition to the Scheme.  Mr S Willmot, Chairman – Herefordshire Football Association, spoke in support.

It was reported that the local ward member supported the application.

Members indicated their support for the scheme. 

Having regard to some concerns that had been expressed about the material to be used for the proposed playing surfaces it was requested that clubs should ensure they had policies and guidance in place on their use.

Councillor Greenow proposed and Councillor James seconded a motion that the application be approved in accordance with the printed recommendation The motion was carried unanimously with 12 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions. 

RESOLVED:  That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and any other conditions considered necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers:

1.         A01 Time limit for commencement (full permission)

2.         B02 Development in accordance with approved plans and materials

3.         Use of the development shall not commence until:

a) Certification that the Artificial Grass Pitch hereby permitted has met FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf – FIFA Quality or equivalent International Artificial Turf Standard (IMS) and,

b) Confirmation that the facility has been registered on the Football Association’s register of Football Pitches

            Such details to have been submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority in consultation with Sport England.

            Reason: To ensure that the development is fit for purpose and sustainable, provides sporting benefits and to accord with policy OS3 of the Development Plan.

4.         Use of the development shall not commence until a community use agreement prepared in consultation with Sport England has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and a copy of the completed approved agreement has been provided to the Local Planning Authority. The agreement shall apply to the proposed Artificial Grass Pitch and associated ancillary facilities and include details of pricing policy, hours of use, access by priority groups/community users other than the host club, management responsibilities and a mechanism for review). The development shall not be used otherwise than in strict accordance with the approved agreement.

            Reason: To secure well managed safe community access to the sports facility/facilities, to ensure sufficient benefit to the development of sport and to accord with policy OS3 of the Development Plan.

5.         Prior to commencement of any works approved under this decision notice a fully detailed surface water management and Sustainable Drainage Scheme (SuDS) shall be supplied and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall be implemented in full as approved and prior to first use of the 3G pitch hereby approved.

            Reason: In order to comply with Habitat Regulations (2017), National Planning Policy Framework, NERC Act (2006) and Herefordshire Council Core Strategy (2015) policies LD2 and SD3.

6.         Prior to the commencement of any construction work details of the type of infill materials to be installed into the 3G artificial grass pitch surface which may comprise of recycled SBR with adequate chemical testing evidence in compliance with REACH findings, or EPDM, or TPE, or Encapsulated SBR or natural materials (such as cork / vegetable) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  The approved surface shall be implemented prior to first use of the pitch and no other alternative surface shall be used without prior written consent of the local planning authority.

            Reason: To ensure that the surfacing of the pitch would comply with industry guidance that her considered the findings of Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals and so as to ensure a safe environment for users of the facility in accordance with Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy policy SD1 and there requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework

7.         Prior to the first use of the 3G pitch hereby approved a Travel Plan which contains measures to promote alternative sustainable means of transport for staff and visitors with respect to the development hereby permitted shall be submitted to and be approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Travel Plan shall be implemented, in accordance with the approved details, on the first use of the development.  A detailed written record shall be kept of the measures undertaken to promote sustainable transport initiatives and a review of the Travel Plan shall be undertaken annually. All relevant documentation shall be made available for inspection by the local planning authority upon reasonable request.

            Reason: In order to ensure that the development is carried out in combination with a scheme aimed at promoting the use of a range of sustainable transport initiatives and to conform with the requirements of Policy MT1 and SS4 of Herefordshire local Plan - Core Strategy and the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.

8.         The means of vehicular access to the development hereby permitted shall only be as defined within “Hereford FA Artificial Turf Pitch Highways” (Drawing No. 07) for the full period of construction and when completed/operational.

            Reason: In order to ensure the safety of users on the A49 and enable it to continue to be effective part of the Strategic Road Network in accordance with Section 10 (2) of Highways Act 1980 and policies SS4 and MT1 of the Herefordshire local Plan - Core Strategy and the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.

9.         Prior to the first use of the 3G pitch hereby approved a 3 metre high acoustic fence of solid rigid material with a minimum density of 10 kg per m2 shall be erected along the north eastern boundary of the pitch ,as shown in Figure 6 of the noise report.   The specification and appearance of the fence shall have first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.  The fence shall be retained thereafter whilst the 3G pitch is in use.

            Reason: : In order to protect the residential amenity of adjacent properties and to comply with Policy SD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.

10.       Prior to the commencement of the development a tree protection plan in accordance with BS5837:2012 shall be submitted and approved in writing by the local planning authority and thereafter implemented in accordance with the approved details for the duration of the construction phase.

            Reason - To safeguard all retained trees during development works and to ensure that the development conforms with Policies LD1 and LD3 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.

11.       Prior to the commencement of any works a method statement for trees in the north western corner of the proposed pitch or where no dig has been specified, must be submitted and approved by the local planning authority and the development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved method statement.

            Reason - To safeguard the character and amenity of the area and to ensure that the development conforms with Policies LD1 and LD3 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.

INFORMATIVES:

1.         IP1

2.         I05 – No drainage to discharge to highway

            Drainage arrangements shall be provided to ensure that surface water from the driveway and/or vehicular turning area does not discharge onto the public highway.  No drainage or effluent from the proposed development shall be allowed to discharge into any highway drain or over any part of the public highway.

3.         I11 – Mud on highway

            It is an offence under Section 148 of the Highways Act 1980 to allow mud or other debris to be transmitted onto the public highway.  The attention of the applicant is drawn to the need to keep the highway free from any mud or other material emanating from the application site or any works pertaining thereto.

4.         I35 – Highways Design Guide and Specification

            The applicant’s attention is drawn to the requirement for design to conform to Herefordshire Council’s ‘Highways Design Guide for New Developments’ and  ‘Highways Specification for New Developments’.

5.         I45 – Works within the highway (Compliance with the Highways Act 1980 and the Traffic Management Act 2004)

            This planning permission does not authorise the applicant to carry out works within the publicly maintained highway and Balfour Beatty Living Places (Managing Agent for Herefordshire Council) Highways Services, Unit 3 Thorn Business Park, Rotherwas, Hereford HR2 6JT, (Tel. 01432 349517),), shall be given at least 28 days' notice of the applicant's intention to commence any works affecting the public highway so that the applicant can be provided with an approved specification, and supervision arranged for the works.

            Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, Herefordshire Council operate a notice scheme to co-ordinate Streetworks. Early discussions with the Highways Services Team are advised as a minimum of 4 weeks to 3 months notification is required (dictated by type of works and the impact that it may have on the travelling public). Please note that the timescale between notification and you being able to commence your works may be longer depending on other planned works in the area and the traffic sensitivity of the site. The Highway Service can be contacted on Tel. 01432 845900.

6.         Sport England INFORMATIVES : The applicant is advised that pitches to be used for Step 1 and Step 2 level football matches should be built in accordance with FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf – FIFA Quality Pro and steps 3-6 should be built to FIFA Quality as a minimum and tested annually as per league rules.

7.         Guidance on preparing Community Use Agreements is available from Sport England at: https://www.sportengland.org/facilities-planning/planning-for-sport/planning-tools-and-guidance/community-use-agreements/

            For artificial grass pitches it is recommended that you seek guidance from the Football Association on pitch construction when determining the community use hours the artificial pitch can accommodate.

8.         No trees have been identified for removal in the plans submitted to date. The site is within the Widemarsh Common Conservation Area, therefore any tree works or felling will require a separate notification submitted to the Local Planning Authority prior to commencement.