Issue - meetings

Upgrade and re-build of an existing stadium pitch

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Gareth Coj Parry

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To delegate powers to the Senior Planning Manager to approve the application, subject to the following conditions, and receiving additional information to come regarding the comments of Heneb and Welsh Water.

Conditions:

1.     To commence the work within five years

2.     In accordance with the plans

3.     To restrict working hours to 08:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturday

4.     To introduce biodiversity enhancements.

5.     Conditions that are relevant to Welsh Water observations

6.     Conditions that are relevant to Heneb's observations

Upgrading and reconstruction of existing football stadium

            Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

a)     The Development Control Team Leader highlighted that this was a full application that would involve levelling and re-creating the original pitch, installing layers of different materials, including sand and gravel, to ensure adequate drainage. The drainage work would include drainage pipes and a retaining wall, with a fence of soft railings being set around the new pitch. It was explained that the site was located within the site of the existing Caernarfon Town football pitch which was within a residential area and the town's development boundary.

Fundamentally, the proposal was one to refurbish and upgrade the existing facilities on the site, with local leisure and community facilities which matters to the health, social, educational, linguistic and cultural needs of Gwynedd, as well as its economic well-being. It was considered that the proposal and its scale at this location was suitable and acceptable in terms of policies PCYFF 1 and ISA 2.

It was acknowledged that the location of the proposal was within a residential area, but it was also an existing football pitch. It was not considered that the proposal, including the fence and the retaining wall, created an alien feature, considering the existing buildings and structures. It was reiterated that the field was partially visible from public areas, but the development did not offer completely new elements to those that already existed on the site. The use of the site will not change, therefore, the impact on neighbours in terms of busyness and disturbance will continue in the same way. It was reiterated that a condition would be set following the Public Protection comments to control the construction hours on the site in order to reduce the noise levels and potential impacts on nearby neighbours. Therefore, to this end, it was considered that the proposal was acceptable in terms of the impact on the area and local neighbourhood, as well as appropriate planning conditions to ensure biodiversity improvements because of the proposal.

Attention was drawn to the fact that Heneb's comments confirmed that there was a need to undertake a geophysical survey of the application site to be able to assess the potential for archaeology and how to address what is found on the site before a decision is released. After completing this work, it would be possible to impose specific conditions for further archaeological requirements, and therefore, it was considered that the proposal was acceptable in terms of policy AT 4.

Similarly, Welsh Water had confirmed an objection which stood based on the location of the public sewer compared to the proposed work. It was noted that the agent was working with Welsh Water to find a solution. It was reiterated that the response of Welsh Water also referred to the possibility of coming to an agreement for moving the sewer and therefore, ultimately, it was considered that the proposal was acceptable once a solution was agreed between the applicant and Welsh  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8