Proposed erection of cricket pavilion, formation of car park and overflow car park and associated engineering works in association with the relocation of Ledbury Cricket Club and the formation of a proposed vehicular access off Orlham Lane to serve the site.

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

(Proposed erection of cricket pavilion, formation of car park and overflow car park and associated engineering works in association with the relocation of Ledbury Cricket Club and the formation of a proposed vehicular access off Orlham Lane to serve the site.)

The Development Manager gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr K Francis of Ledbury Town Council spoke in support of the Scheme.  Mr J Lightowler, a local resident, spoke in objection.  Mr M Ehrlich, Secretary to the Cricket Club, spoke in support.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillors TL Widdows and EPJ Harvey, two of the three local ward members, spoke on the application.

Councillor Harvey commented on a number of issues including:

·         The proposal provided better provision for the cricket club, but did not provide for replacement of the existing football training pitch.  The NPPF and UDP required that replacement sports facilities should be of a similar or improved standard.

·         There was concern about the access and the width of the verges alongside the road.  A cycle path would have been a preferred solution.  There was concern about junior players being able to cross the 60mph road safely.

CouncillorWiddows commented on a number of issues including

·         There was concern about parking provision at the site.

·         The site was a greenfield site on grade 2 agricultural land on the edge of Town.  There should be more discussion of the options for preserving sporting facilities within the Town

·         The access was flawed.

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

·         Some concerns about highway access were acknowledged.

·         There was no objection from the statutory consultees.  Sport England considered the replacement facilities fit for purpose.

·         If possible, consideration should be given to the provision of a footway and cycleway to the development.

·         The Committee had to consider the suitability of the application before it.  If alternative sites were to emerge in future it was a matter for the developer to consider whether one of those was preferable.

·         There was insufficient car parking.

·         The development provided an opportunity for the cricket club to secure its future.  It also provided scope to develop a sports hub with the Rugby Club.

The local ward members were given the opportunity to close the debate.  Councillor Widdows supported comments made about the importance of ensuring connectivity to the town through footpath and cycle links.

RESOLVED: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.         A01 – Time limit for commencement (full permission)

2.         B01 – Development in accordance with approved plans

3          G10 – Landscaping scheme

4.         G11 – Landscaping scheme (implementation)

5.         H05 – Access gates

6.         H13 – Access, turning area and parking

7.         H17 – Junction improvements / off site works

8.         H29 – Secure cycle parking provision

9.         I41 – Scheme of refuse storage (commercial)

10.       The development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the ecological enhancements as set out in Section 4 of the ecologist’s report from Crossman Associates dated July 2014.  Prior to commencement of the development, a habitat protection and enhancement scheme should be submitted to and be approved in writing by the local planning authority, and the scheme shall be implemented as approved.  An appropriately qualified and experienced ecological clerk of works should be appointed (or consultant engaged in that capacity) to oversee the ecological mitigation work.

            Reason:  To ensure that all species are protected having regard to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and Policies NC1, NC6 and NC7 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan, and Policies NC8 and NC9 in relation to Nature Conservation and Biodiversity and to meet the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework and the NERC Act 2006

11.       Prior to the commencement of development the applicant shall  submit the following information to the local planning authority for its written approval:

• Provision of infiltration rates and depth to groundwater, with tests undertaken in accordance with BRE 365, to demonstrate that the proposed solution is appropriate to underlying soil conditions;

• Provision of a detailed surface water strategy for the entire development including the pavilion, sports pitch, car park and overflow car park, informed by the results of on-site infiltration testing;

• Details of the proposed outfall to the existing ditch along Orlham Lane;

• Provision of detailed calculations of the size of the proposed soakaways and/or attenuation features, demonstrating that discharge from the site will be limited to existing greenfield rates for a range of events up to the 1 in 100 year event and that sufficient onsite attenuation will be provided up to the 1 in 100 year event and allowing for the potential effects of climate change;

• Demonstration that appropriate pollution control measures are in place in the car park and overflow car park prior to discharge;

• Demonstration that the Applicant has considered designing for exceedance.

The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

            Reason:  In order to prevent groundwater pollution and to ensure that any surface water run-off from the site is mitigated, and to comply with Policy DR4 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

INFORMATIVES:

1.         The Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by assessing the proposal against planning policy and any other material considerations. Negotiations in respect of matters of concern with the application (as originally submitted) have resulted in amendments to the proposal.  As a result, the Local Planning Authority has been able to grant planning permission for an acceptable proposal, in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework. 

2.         I09 – Private apparatus in the highway

3.         I35 – Highway Design Guide

4.         I45 – Working within the highway