Application

19/P4337                           

Ward Village

RECOMMENDATION: GRANT Planning permission subject to conditions

Proposal: ERECTION OF FLOODLIGHTS ADJACENT TO EXISTING HOCKEY PITCH. THE FLOODLIGHTS WOULD BE PERMITTED TO OPERATE BETWEEN 8AM AND 10PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND BETWEEN 8AM AND 9PM ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND BANK HOLIDAYS

The Development Control Leader (North) presented the report.

The Committee received a verbal representation from two objectors who made points including:

·         Back fence is around 12 to 13 meters from the side of the pitch

·         Family life will be significantly adversely affected by the proposed development

·         The proposed hours all year round represent an increased in out

of hours use from 240 hours to over 1700 hours

·         The applicant's calculation of glare is more than 10 times over the correct limit

·         Concerns about pollution from noise, light or toxic engine emissions that the volume of traffic would bring

·         The Objector raised concerns on the glare of car headlights into residents’ bedrooms.

The Applicant spoke in response and made points including:

·         The Applicant spoke on the benefits, opportunities of exercise on both physical and mental health since covid to provide safe environment

• The Applicant mentioned that Merton council themselves in 2019 in their pitch strategy highlighted the need for more pitch space in order to meet current demand and specifically highlighted the opportunity and need to develop the Ricards lodge pitch including adding flood lighting. The Applicant made further points including:

·         Ricards lodge girls would  benefit as would  the local primary school would also benefit by extended after schools  clubs on site when the school is not using the site

·         The previous 20 years the pitch was used by the school it was used by external hires and that will continue to be the case

·         Under this planning application from a noise perspective as highlighted by the

Officer noise will actually be reduced so it's a lower level than ever in the history of the 20-year pitch.

·         The Planning Officer responded that it is important to note that this is an existing hockey pitch and so whilst the use isn't changing what the proposal would allow would be evening use

·         The Planning Officer said environmental health colleagues are assisting with not only the issue of the floodlights, but also noise the conclusions of that are that whilst there would be some impact in addition to the existing pitch in terms of into the evenings with viewing the lights from the distance from the neighbouring properties, the pitch would otherwise be dark

·         The Planning Officer said, there are a number of mitigation measures proposed which would assist in reducing noise and that had been included in the Officers report.

·         It was noted that the environmental health officer had not objected to the 10 pm curfew for this application

·         The Planning Officer concluded that would be acceptable with the mitigation measures proposed in terms of traffic the car park existing car parking on the site as 80 spaces the Wimbledon hockey club would only be using the facility outside of school operating hours and then the applicant's submission There are only 13 cars expected with approximately 25 players at a time would allow for the facility for training purposes for women hockey club

Members commented on the application and the times, the level of noise from users and the affect it would have on residents’ amenities. Members also welcomed the progression and regeneration the application presented.

The Chair moved to the vote and it was

RESOLVED:

That the Committee granted planning permission subject to conditions.