Agenda item

Construction of a 3G Artificial Grass Pitch with perimeter fencing, acoustic fencing, hardstanding areas, storage container, floodlights, an access footpath, and modular changing room building. [Fulford and Heslington Ward]

Members considered a full application for the construction of a 3G artificial Grass Pitch with perimeter fencing, acoustic fencing, hardstanding areas, storage container, floodlights, an access footpath, and modular changing room building.

The Head of Planning and Development gave a presentation on the plans for the development and confirmed there was no further update to the report.

In response to questions on the plans, officers confirmed the location of Germany Beck to the site, explained the landscaping plan and the detail of the plan for lighting which was covered in condition four and fourteen.  It was not possible to require energy efficiency measures due to the size of the development and the modular nature of the buildings.  The total number of cars on the site at any one time had been calculated to be less than the total number of parking spaces available on site.  The material used for the pitch was not a planning consideration.

Public Speakers

Cllr Kate Ravilious, ward councillor, was unable to attend the meeting and therefore submitted a written request asking the committee to commit to the monitoring of traffic pre and post development and a budget put aside for Traffic Regulation Orders.

[Cllr Warters left the meeting at 9:08 pm].

In response to further questions from Members, officers reported that condition 13 that required a community use scheme to be submitted and approved prior to the first use of the development, this covered pricing, hours of use and access by non-school users.  The condition could be amended to ensure that a plan was in place to avoid conflicts of school events, such as parents’ evenings, against community use.  They also confirmed that there was no vehicular access from Germany Beck, other than for school coaches exiting Fulford School.

Following a brief debate, Cllr Baxter proposed the officer recommendation, and this was seconded by Cllr Whitcroft. Members voted five in favour and one against the motion, with one abstention, and it was therefore:

Resolved:  That the application be approved, subject to a revision to condition 13 to ensure that there was no conflict between community use and school events, this revision being delegated to the Head of Planning and Development.

Reason:     The application for the construction of a multi-use artificial grass pitch with the introduction of floodlights and fencing on what is currently a grassed playing field associated with Fulford secondary school would result in the loss of an existing grassed playing pitch. However, the scheme offers a significant benefit to the provision of the curriculum at the school as well as providing a sporting facility for the wider community outside of school use. In consideration of neighbour amenity, the nature of the proposal has potential for some noise intensification and light pollution, however the time of operation is acceptable and would be conditioned for the school to ensure neighbours are not subject to unwanted noise after 9pm. Additionally the proposed floodlights are designed to comply with the requirements of the Institute of Lighting Engineers Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Light Pollution.

Fulford School is area of Archaeological Importance, and a phased condition is required for post-determination of archaeological mitigation. Other technical matters for flood risk, biodiversity and public protection can be secured by conditions.

The information provided on to the proposal regarding car parking arrangements is satisfactory. A Section 106 agreement to secure a contribution of £15,000 towards Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) and associated works to restrict on street parking and to prevent footway parking with any unspent money to be repaid back within 5 years of the start of the occupation if highway measures are not required.

Therefore, approval is recommended subject to a s106 agreement and detailed conditions on the basis the scheme complies with the revised National Planning Policy Framework (2024)  and Draft Local Plan 2018, polices ED1, ENV2, T1 and D1.