Agenda item

Construction of 3rd generation sports pitch including entrance / warm up area, creation of hardstanding for siting of a stand and kit storage area, creation of roads and paths, erection of floodlights and extension of car park.

LOCAL MEMBER:    Councillor Menna Baines

Link to relevant background documents

Create a 3rd generation playing field to include an entrance / warm up area, a hard standing for installing a stand and equipment store, create roads and paths, erect floodlights and extend the car park.

(a)     The Senior Development Control Officer elaborated on the application's background, noting that Policy ISA3 of the JLDP encourages approving proposals for new facilities for academic and ancillary social or leisure activities at higher education sites subject to being acceptable in terms of such matters as scale, location, design, amenity and transportation. It was noted that the policy emphasised that priority should be given to re-using existing sites.

         It was noted that it was a plan to reuse the existing site by upgrading it so that the quality of the sports facilities available to the University are substantially improved. It was expanded that the development would help ensure that the fields are used more efficiently than before and are more flexible to meet current educational and leisure needs.

Attention was drawn to the site's location that was very sensitive in terms of landscape considerations, a response had been received from Natural Resources Wales stating that the information submitted as part of the application gave assurance that the lighting plan that formed part of this proposal would have little visual impact on the location or on the view of the Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and would be less intrusive than the existing lights.

In terms of general and residential amenities, it was noted that in considering the distance of the site from any private residences, the fact that this was a "like for like" development in terms of land use, it was not believed that it would generate any significant additional changes to the amenities of any neighbours or the area in general.

The development was acceptable in terms of relevant local and national policies for the reasons noted in the report. Attention was drawn to condition number 5, explaining that it was in the context of controlling the operational hours of the floodlights.

(b)     Exercising the right to speak, the applicant’s agent noted the following main points:-

·         That the proposal would provide the first third generation field in north Wales;

·         It would be a valuable asset to the area as well as for local clubs and the community;

·         There were drainage problems associated with the existing playing fields, they could not be used during the Winter;

·         The field would be suitable for international standard rugby and football;

·         That Sport Wales supported the application; 

·         The statutory consultees were satisfied with the proposal; 

·         The recommended conditions were acceptable, subject to condition 5 referring to controlling the use of the floodlights.

(c)     It was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

A member noted that there was already a third generation field in Nantporth and he hoped that the field would be available for use by the local community.

RESOLVED to approve the application.

          Conditions:

1.     Five years

2.     Work in accordance with the plans 

3.     An Environmental Building Control Plan must be submitted and agreed

4.     Must adhere to the Ecological Survey recommendations

5.     Floodlights - Hours of operation 16:00 to 22:00 Monday to Friday and 16:00 to 19:00 Saturday and Sunday      

Notes

Welsh Water                             

Natural Resources Wales