Park sports facilities at Grace Park, Wood Road, Halewood

What was proposed

The application proposed two artificial grass pitches, a clubhouse and café, parking, play facilities, lighting, landscaping, routes and drainage works.

“CREATION OF 2NO. ARTIFICIAL GRASS PLAYING PITCHES WITH ASSOCIATED FENCING AND INFRASTRUCTURE, A FLEXIBLE USE CIVIC PLAZA, A CLUBHOUSE WITH CHANGING FACILITIES, A CAFE AND A CAR PARK WITH ASSOCIATED EV CHARGING POINTS, FLOODLIGHTING AND CCTV. GENERAL LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS TOGETHER WITH THE CREATION OF A SHARED USE PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE ROUTE. ERECTION OF 1NO. FEATURE PLAY AREA TOGETHER WITH DRAINAGE WORKS AND AN AREA OF HARDSTANDING.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

A 2003 application for earth mounds around a repositioned playground and a new access road was granted.

“03/00374/FUL: Construction of 2m high mounds to surround repositioned playground and new access road. Granted: 11.07.2003.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended delegated approval because benefits to health, recreation, community facilities, accessibility, the environment and drainage outweighed limited harm.

“The proposed development represents a significant investment in Grace Park and would deliver a comprehensive programme of improvements including enhanced sports facilities, a new clubhouse and community hub, improved play provision, active travel connections, public realm enhancements, ecological improvements, sustainable drainage infrastructure and extensive landscaping.”

“As identified above come limited harm would be caused to a few residential properties due to the impact of the proposed ball stop and acoustic fencing on outlook. This limited harm must be weighted against the significant developments of the development.”

Officer report

Advice from consultees

Highways, environmental health, flood, ecology, utilities and Sport England raised no objections subject to conditions, while public health supported the proposal.

“Environmental Health (Knowsley Council) – No objections subject to planning conditions covering the following matters: contaminated land remediation strategy and verification plan and any agreed remediation measures to be undertaken and verification report submitted together with reporting of unexpected contamination; material management plan; no topsoil to be imported without testing to agreed methodology and analysis carried out and reports submitted to and agreed in…”

“United Utilities - No objections subject to the submission of a surface water drainage scheme secured by planning condition. Sport England – No objections subject to conditions covering the following: a usage schedule to set out how fixtures will be accommodated across alternative available sites until the replacement artificial grass pitch has been completed; design, levels and layout of artificial grass pitches to be agreed; a Management and Maintenance Scheme for the…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard a public speaker, a public speaker supporting the application and the applicant during the allocated speaking period.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted delegated authority to approve planning permission subject to the listed conditions or amended conditions agreed with the chair.

“RESOLVED – That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning & Building Control to grant planning permission under delegated powers subject to the conditions set out in the attached schedule, or such additional or amended conditions that the Head of Planning & Building Control in consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee considers appropriate.”

“(Note: (i) In accordance with the provisions of Section 28(2) of the Localism Act 2011, and the Council’s Code of Conduct for Elected and Co-opted Members, Councillor Mrs B Dunn declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in the above application and left the meeting during its consideration; and…”

Minutes