Agenda item

Recommended for Approval.

Mr Williams addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  Mr Botheras spoke for the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that in respect of application 3/14/0924/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted.  He set out the nature of the application and detailed the key issues that Members should consider.  The Director acknowledged the impact of the additional use and advised that there were sufficient safeguards for Members to approve the application.

Councillor S Rutland-Barsby, as the local ward Member, highlighted the prominent position of the site and its proximity to proposed residential development at Sovereign House, the care home at Bentley House and the immediate neighbours in Highfield and Queens Road.  She set out her concerns over noise, light pollution and the carcinogenic dust from the pitch surface.  She referred to the lack of objection from Hertfordshire Ecology and whether there was a need for a specific bat survey.  She concluded that the scheme would be a wonderful facility for the school and the community, but it had been proposed in a totally unsuitable location that would be detrimental to neighbouring amenity.

Councillor P Ruffles stated that, on balance, he was supportive of the recommendation for approval.  He referred to the substantial benefits of education and sports provision in light of the shortage of pitch provision at Richard Hale School.  He concluded that whilst he did not deny any of the concerns of the public speaker or the local ward Member, he was confident that there were sufficient safeguards in the form of modern management to mitigate the impacts of the application.

Councillor K Warnell sought and was given clarification regarding the mitigation of noise pollution for the residents of Highfield Road in that an acoustic fence was proposed for the whole southern side of the pitch as well as three additional landscaped bunds.

Councillor A McNeece stated that the acoustic levels detailed in the report caused him great concern as they were very close to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for maximum noise levels.  He concluded that the views of the local neighbours had to be given priority consideration over the wider views in favour of the application.

Councillor M Casey asked for clarification regarding the concern that had been raised relating to health concerns and the pitch surface.  Councillor K Brush asked for clarification in respect of the proposed hours of use for the artificial pitch.  The Director confirmed that noise decibel readings were exponential in nature and a 1 decibel (dB) difference between the actual reading and a limit was a significant difference.

Members were advised that the Committee should not concern itself with the volume of representations as the issues that had been raised were of greater relevance.  The Director advised that the time limits on the hours of use meant that all use of the pitch and the floodlighting should have ceased by the terminal hours.

The Director assured Members that the pitch surface and the concern over health was not an issue for the Committee as it was for the operator to take responsibility in ensuring the safety of the users and this was covered by other legislation.  Regarding the ecological impact and bats, the Director stated that Officers had no data to indicate any concerns and there was no need to restrict the use on that basis.

The Director assured Councillor McNeece that the lighting was in form of slim and modest poles with a modest T Bar arrangement with down lighters that would be visible but would not be unduly harmful to the character and appearance of the area.

The Director advised that there might be some flexibility in the hours of use in that during the summer months the applicant would accept some modest earlier closing times as referred to in the additional representations summary.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the Committee accepted the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services as now submitted subject to the amendment of condition 6 to reflect the modest reduction in hours of use offered by the applicant.

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/14/0924/FP, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report now submitted and subject to the following amended condition:

6.        The use of the artificial grass pitch and the floodlighting hereby permitted shall be restricted solely to the following hours – between 1^st September – 31^st May, Monday – Thursday 08.00 – 22.00; Friday 08.00 – 21.00; Saturday and Sunday 09.00 – 20.00; Bank Holidays 09.00 – 18.00 and, between 1^st June – 31^st August, Monday – Thursday 08.00 – 21.00; Friday 08.00 – 20.00; Saturday and Sunday 09.00 – 19.00; Bank Holidays 09.00 – 18.00.

Reason: In the interests of neighbouring amenity and protected species, in accordance with policies ENV16 and ENV24 of the East Herts Local Plan Second Review April 2007.