Agenda item

Proposed Sports Pitch Development to the South East of 235 Tadcaster Road, Dringhouses, York (18/00251/FUL)

Change of use from agricultural holding to natural turf sports pitches including erection of changing facilities, installation of sub surface land drainage and associated soft landscaping and formation of emergency/maintenance vehicle access road. [Rural West York Ward] [Site Visit]

Minutes:

Members considered a Full Application for a change of use from agricultural holding to natural turf sports pitches, including erection of changing facilities, installation of sub surface land drainage and associated soft landscaping and the formation of emergency/maintenance vehicle access road.

 

Officers gave a detailed update, which was attached to the online agenda following the meeting. This included an update on the status of Woodthorpe Wanderers FC and details of additional representations which had been received since agenda publication. There was also an amended recommendation and several amended and additional conditions.

 

Josh Wong, Club Secretary for Bishopthorpe White Rose FC, spoke in support of the application. He stated that the club served over 400 players and had a large girls section plus two disabled teams. They currently had very limited facilities, one pitch for 11 teams, and this proposed development would give them opportunity to further promote sport to young people. The location would also promote sustainable transport, using the cycle path and the park and ride.

 

In response to Member questions he stated that:

 

·        The existing ponds would be lost but the proposed drainage plan would create two patches of biodiversity to replace this habitat;

·        Pick up and drop off would be at the park and ride site; and

·        There would be a lease arrangement for car parking spaces with the park and ride site.

 

Michael Jones spoke, on behalf of the applicant, to explain how the application would support the Council’s strategic priorities by providing pitch space across four wards. Approval would trigger consideration of an application for a £500,000 grant from the Football Foundation which would help to pay for the works. Finally it would free up land at Lowfield Green by replacing two pitches which were at that site. This would allow for creation of 165 new homes a care home, and a large area of public open space. The pitches would have huge health and social benefits for the local community.

 

In response to Member questions he stated:

 

·        The clubhouse was positioned in this location to encourage cycling as it was located next to the cycle path and as it was considered the least sensitive location as it was near trees;

·        The use of space allowed for the maximum number of pitches; and

·        An agreement would be put in place with the park and ride operator for parking provision.

 

During debate Members expressed their thanks for the hard work of the volunteers’ who ran the football club. They felt that the proposal was going to provide desperately needed facilities which would have huge health and social benefits for the local community. It was also noted that the impact on wildlife would be minimal. They also highlighted the need to maintain the cycle path, if cycling to this site was to be encouraged.

 

Resolved:  That Delegated Authority be given to the Assistant Director Planning and Public Protection to approve the proposal subject to:

1.   an acceptable agreement being reached in respect of the provision of off-site car parking

2.   The conditions listed in the Officers report and the update

3.   An amendment to condition 13 in relation to the protection of the cycle path during construction

4.   An additional condition on the provision of cycle parking

5.   An additional informative being added in relation to the maintenance of the cycle route.

 

Reason:     It was considered that the provision of permanent training and playing facilities in an accessible location for Bishopthorpe White Rose FC, whose facilities were currently sub-standard, was a consideration that clearly outweighed the harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm so as to amount to very special circumstances to justify the proposed development. Thus very special circumstances existed to justify development in the Green Belt.

 

The presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in paragraph 14 of the NPPF applied to this application to the effect that permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the policies of the NPPF taken as a whole. On that basis it was considered that the proposal would amount to sustainable development in applying the Framework as a whole, and the balance lay in favour of the proposal.

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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