Construction of an external 3g artificial turf pitch (atp) with fencing, floodlighting, a storage container.

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

(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.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr S Kerry, of Hereford City Council spoke in opposition to the Scheme.  Mr M Williams, the applicant, spoke in support.

It was reported that the local ward member and the adjoining local ward member had indicated that they supported the application.

Several members expressed their support for the scheme and the benefits it would bring for young people.

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 Williams 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 Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy.

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 Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy.

5.         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.

6.         No surface water and/or land drainage shall be allowed to connect directly or indirectly with the public sewerage network.

            Reason: To prevent hydraulic overloading of the public sewerage system, to protect the health and safety of existing residents, ensure no pollution of or detriment to the environment and so as to comply with policies SD3 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.

7.         The use of the 3G pitch and associated floodlighting hereby approved shall be restricted to between the hours of 9.00am and 10.00pm.

            Reason: To minimise the impact of the floodlights and protect the residential amenities of nearby dwellings in accordance with policies SS6 and SD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.

8.         All fencing and enclosures included on the approved drawings shall be erected prior to the first use of the 3G pitch and shall thereafter be retained or replaced with fencing/enclosures of the same height, unless alternative details have first been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.

            Reason:  In the interests of public safety and residential amenity and so as to accord with policy SD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.

9.         Prior to the first use of the development 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 occupation 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 Core Strategy

10.       Prior to the first use of the 3G pitch hereby permitted a Community Use Management Plan and a Noise Management Plan shall be submitted and approved in writing by the local authority. This will incorporate issues set out in para 4.8.2 of the applicant’s Design and Access statement and shall include a prohibition of the use of amplified music at the site.  The use of the 3G pitch shall operate in accordance with the approved Plans.

            Reason:  To ensure that residential amenity is safeguarded and so as to accord with policies SS6 and SD1 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.

11.       No development shall take place until details of the proposed surface water drainage arrangements have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  The approved scheme shall be implemented before the first use of the 3G pitch hereby permitted.

            Reason: In order to ensure that satisfactory drainage arrangements are provided and enable the local planning authority to carry out a Habitat Regulations Assessment – Appropriate Assessment and to comply with Policies SD3 and SD4 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.

INFORMATIVES:

1.         IP1 - Application Approved Without Amendment

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)

6.         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.

7.         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

8.         Notes re: conditions 3 and 4

            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.

            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.

9.         Welsh Water Advisory Notes:

            The applicant may need to apply to Dwr Cymru / Welsh Water for any connection to the public sewer under S106 of the Water industry Act 1991. If the connection to the public sewer network is either via a lateral drain (i.e. a drain which extends beyond the connecting property boundary) or via a new sewer (i.e. serves more than one property), it is now a mandatory requirement to first enter into a Section 104 Adoption Agreement (Water Industry Act 1991). The design of the sewers and lateral drains must also conform to the Welsh Ministers Standards for Gravity Foul Sewers and Lateral Drains, and conform with the publication "Sewers for Adoption"- 7th Edition. Further information can be obtained via the Developer Services pages of www.dwrcymru.com

            The applicant is also advised that some public sewers and lateral drains may not be recorded on our maps of public sewers because they were originally privately owned and were transferred into public ownership by nature of the Water Industry (Schemes for Adoption of Private Sewers) Regulations 2011. Under the Water Industry Act 1991 Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has rights of access to its apparatus at all times.