Application Number: 21/P1519

Hillside: Ward

RECOMMENDATION: GRANT Planning Permission, Subject to no objection from Thames Water and Conditions

Proposal: to fit 3D astral turf for football and rugby

The Development and Control Leader (North) presented the report

The committee received verbal representations from two objectors

·         The light columns are not retractable

·         The objector said that it made a mockery of the conservation area having a commercial property

·         Proposal would mean a loss of six thousand square metres of green space which would be replaced with steel, concrete and plastic

·         An added increase in traffic by churches, scout and school users and parking is already an issue

·         As there appears to be no business plan, council auditors should undertake a financial risk assessment and feasibility study to ensure no tax payers money is at risk in this project

·         A full environmental report should have been prepared before the application had been lodged

·         Section 6.5 of the revised drainage report says a full drainage survey has not been done and Thames Water has not yet accepted

·         Crowd and participant audible noise including signal whistle will be ongoing for up to six and a half days every week with no respite for residents

·         A noise impact statement should be undertaken

·         The six 15 metre lighting towers are over four storeys high and taller than all the surrounding residential buildings

·         The lights are not retractable and each require manual skilled intervention to lower them taking 45 minutes

·         The hinged towers would therefore more than likely be left up as permanent feature

·         Some properties affected by the towers has not been consulted

·         The lights will be used mostly in the winter

·         No testing has been done and glare calculations should have been done by the institute of lighting professionals

·         Concerns raised on the extra use and change in noise direction of the pitch

·         The council policies usually opposes restriction on impact, height

·         The application conflicts on council policies on impact and conservation

The Applicants’ spoke in response to objectors:

·         The primary purpose of the proposal is to enhance the sports facilities for the pupils of the school Merton and further afield to enjoy physical activities

·         The field due to daily use by pupils is in a state of degradation

·         The purpose is to use the field regularly for physical activities on site there are off sites that can be used but the journey time limits the PE time

·         There is within the application to hire the pitch in the evenings and weekends from 6-9pm week days and 9-6pm on Saturday and 9-1pm on a Sunday

·         Additional information will be provided to the planning department for the telescopic lights and height needed

·         The reason for the height is to reduce light spillage

·         Parking facilities are onsite and buses that service the school routes

·         Ask that consideration of the application be given to the wellbeing of the pupils

·         The draining survey is available and will be given to the Council

Councillor Daniel Holden gave a verbal presentation to the committee on behalf of the residents, the application site is within the Wimbledon West conservation area. The 6ft tall lights, which causes light pollution, harm to the wildlife and community and would be detrimental to the neighbourhood. Councillor Holden raised further concerns on the extended hours of operation as 9pm was late and would cause extra ordinary traffic on roads that are normally quiet and would turn them into major roads with frequented vehicles and coaches. Noise was also as issue, as noise from the sporting activities at night would distress neighbours near and further down the hill. There would also be an increase in light flooding as seen down the hill and other surrounding roads.  The application does not provide safe guarding against this. The scheme has no sufficient sustainable drainage.  In conclusion Councillor Holden stated that the scheme should be refused under policy DMF1 and 2. Not enough considerations had been given to traffic problems caused by school based traffic and the application should therefore be refused under policy DMD1, 2 and 3 or finally refuse application under the general planning policy DMD1 and 2 causing harm to the neighbourhood.

The Development and Control Leader (North) responded to comments raised:

·         Funding is not a planning consideration

·         The draining scheme has been approved by the Councils flood risk Officer

·         There is an existing noise generated from the youths using the sports   facilities, the proposed use would be the same

·         The pitch is used primarily for the school and a condition before for commercial use for a noise report

·         The height for the lights is 15meters in use but retracted to no higher than 5 meters

In response to members’ questions officers advised:

·         9pm at night use is not restricted by the school it is used by the daylight hours, perhaps in the summer it could be limited up to 9pm use

·         In terms of open spaces it is designated within the local plan policy

·         The pitch has been in existence for a long time

·         Open space is allowed in recreation to put turf on the ground surface

Members commented on the application on the effect of the appearance of the green fence next to the listed buildings on this ground.

Members welcomed the pitch improvement and stated pupils will enjoy the schooling experience GS3 pitches.

Members also encouraged the changes to the improvement and multi-use of pitch, current and beyond.

Members also raised concerns that developments in a conservation area should enhance the grade 2 listed buildings and floodlight does not do so.

The Chair moved to the vote and it was

RESOLVED:

That the Committee granted planning permission subject to no objection from Thames Water and Conditions.

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