Five padel courts at Station Road, Bathampton, Bath

What was proposed

The application proposed changing a redundant commercial site into a sports facility with five covered padel courts, a pavilion and parking.

“Planning permission is sought for the creation of a sports facility including the construction of 5 no. Padel courts with canopies, a pavilion and associated car parking.”

Officer report

Site and planning history

The site is in the Green Belt, Cotswolds National Landscape and a flood-risk area, partly within Hampton Rocks Cutting SSSI and SNCI; no relevant history was recorded.

“REPORT The application refers to a parcel of land located in the Bristol-Bath Green Belt, Cotswolds National Landscape and which is identified as being at risk of surface water flooding. The site also forms part of the Hampton Rocks Cutting SSSI / SNCI and is adjacent to but outside of the Bathampton Conservation Area.”

“There is no relevant planning history on this site.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers found the proposal acceptable overall, with benefits outweighing limited conflict with sustainable construction policy, and recommended approval.

“Policy SCR7 of the Local Plan Partial Update has regard to Sustainable Construction for New Build Non-Residential Development. The policy requires sustainable design and construction to be integral to all new development in B&NES and that a sustainable construction checklist (SCC) is submitted with application evidencing that the prescribed standards have been met.”

“As set out in the report above, notwithstanding the technical conflict with Policy SCR7 the proposal is found to be acceptable in all respects. There are a number of benefits which arise from the proposal, including the creation of jobs both during construction and operation, as well as social and health benefits which arise from use of the proposed sporting facility by the community.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from a parish council representative, two objectors and the agent supporting the application.

Members’ debate

Members discussed parking, sustainable travel, traffic, noise, school safety, access and demand; a proposed extra noise assessment condition was not accepted.

“In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed: 1. The provision of 25 parking places was normal for this type of development, and it was sustainable in terms of bus services and accessible from the towpath/toll bridge. 2. The calculation from 192 trips included an assumption that some journeys would be multiple occupancy and some users would walk/cycle to the site. 3. The access road, Station Lane was a private road.”

“There had been no representation from the local school but following comments raised by the Parish Council and local residents, the applicant had agreed that no sessions would take place during school drop off and pick up times to avoid a conflict between cars using the facility and children walking to and from school.”

Minutes

The vote

The motion to permit the application was carried by five votes to four.

“Cllr Warren asked for an additional condition requesting a noise assessment after a 12-month period. The mover and seconder of the motion did not agree to include this as part of the motion.”

“On voting for the motion, it was CARRIED (5 in favour, 4 against).”

Minutes

What was decided

The committee authorised permission subject to a Section 106 agreement securing training contributions and monitoring, plus the report’s conditions.

“RESOLVED that officers be authorised to permit the application subject to: 1. A Section 106 Agreement to secure the following: a. £1320 to support the delivery of the Recruitment and Training outcomes and/or towards the Council's costs of supporting the delivery of opportunities for skills development, including NETs entering into Targeted Recruitment and Training in construction, providing training courses or progression opportunities, and travel and equipment costs, in…”

Minutes