Change of use from D1 to D1/D2 use to enable the community use of sports facilities as a Sports Centre, including the stationing of a temporary building for admin/office use for a temporary period of three years and permanent lighting columns in the main car park at Orleans Park School.

Officer’s recommendation:  PERMISSION

Having declared a prejudicial interest, Councillor Chappell withdrew from the room for the duration of this item.

The Development Control Officer introduced the report and made the following amendments:

·         The applicant has indicated that the use is not intended to commence until the 1^st September 2011, as such condition NS09 is amended to read as follows:

Temporary use

Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority, this permission shall be for a limited period of 3 years, commencing on the 1^st September 2011 and expiring on the 31^st August 2014 when the use hereby permitted shall be discontinued.

REASON: In order to assess the impact of the development upon the area and the amenity of surrounding occupies and accord with the terms of the application

·         NS01 – include the design of hoods for the lighting columns

·         NS04 – Include ‘or Sundays’ at the end of the condition

·         Add the following informative.  “The applicants are advised when considering condition NS07, this should include details of numbers of people using the MUGA and Astroturf, levels of supervision, activities that will utilise the MUGA and Astroturf; and how the centre will adapt its services / activities when there are other events, for example, Parents and Governors meetings at the school; School open days and rugby at Twickenham Stadium.

The Committee heard representations against the application from Mr Holley, a local resident and Mr Hogan, the school’s Premises Manager.

The Committee heard a representation in support of the application from Mr Sinclair, the Council’s Head of Sport and Fitness (who was acting as the applicant).

The Committee considered the information received and points raised by speakers. In particular, the following points were discussed:

(i) A noise survey had been carried out for the site which concluded that the proposals would not increase noise by a significant amount in relation to existing ambient noise levels. The survey had been carried out between the hours of 2pm and 9pm.

(ii) The school would be able to extend its hours of operation or intensify its uses in a manner similar to that being proposed, without needing to obtain planning permission.  However, the current scheme would still be assessed on its own merits.

(iii) Light hoods would be used to reduce any potential glare to nearby properties. It was noted that street lights were already located in Lebanon Park and Richmond Road. Condition NS01 meant that the applicant was required to submit details of lighting to the local authority.

(iv) Concerns about parking and traffic congestion could be addressed via a Green Travel Plan. The framework of the plan could be in place before the community use became effective to reduce the level of potential harm caused by any increase in traffic levels. The plan could then be adapted after three months, once community consultation had taken place and once it had been fully assessed.

It was RESOLVED:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the officer’s report, and subject to the following additional condition and informative:

·         Travel Plan Condition

1.  Prior to the commencement of development, an interim Green Travel Plan (drawn up in line with TLF Workplace travel plan guidance or any superseded documents and which shall have been out for public consultation with local residents) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

2.  Staff and customer/visitor travel surveys shall be undertaken in accordance with a survey methodology to be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority prior to it being carried out.

3.  Within 3 months of the use commencing, a new FULL travel plan based on the results of the survey and consultation shall be submitted with clear objectives, targets, actions and timeframes to manage the transport needs of staff and customer / visitors to the development, to minimise car usage and to achieve a shift to alternative transport modes .

4.  Following approval by the Local Planning Authority, the applicant shall then implement these actions to secure the objectives and targets within the approved plan. The travel plan (including surveys) shall be annually revised and a written review of the travel plan submitted and approved by Council by the anniversary of its first approval and yearly thereafter.

REASON: In order to comply with the objectives of national and local Planning Policies (within the Council's Unitary Development Plan) which promote sustainable development with particular regard to transport.

·         Travel Plan Informative

The applicants are advised that the sports centre should carry out the consultation with the local residents when drawing up the Interim and Full Green Travel Plan.  The applicants are also encouraged to contact Miss Lindi Louw (LBRuT) regarding the content of both the Interim and Full Green Travel Plan.  The document should include a section of how the centre proposes to adapt its services when there are other events occurring, for example, rugby at Twickenham Stadium, and school open days / parent meetings etc.