Community hall extension at Carstairs Junction Hall, Carstairs Junction

“Description of Proposed Development 3.1. Planning permission is sought for the erection of a 30m x 5.4m single storey extension to the rear of the hall. This would enlarge the existing 277sqm footprint by an additional 166sqm. The eaves height of the extension would reach 2.6m (h), with its lean-to-roof rising to a maximum height of 3.8m (h) where it connects into the existing dual pitch roof.”

“a soft play area • a seating area • the existing meeting rooms would be converted into sensory rooms • the toilets area would be retained • the existing kitchen would be adapted into a food preparation area…”

“Carstairs Junction Hall is a single-storey gable ended building, that sits within a parkland setting. Its external walls are clad in timber with a facing brick basecourse below, and it has photovoltaic panels located upon its profile concrete tile roof. Off- street vehicle parking on a hard surfaced area to the front of the building, and pedestrian access to the hall can be accessed from St Charles Avenue.”

“The applicant has a lease over the building, associated car park, and some land surrounding the Carstairs Junction Hall for a period of 20 years with the remainder of the application site owned by the Council.”

“Site Description 2.1. The application site extends to approximately 0.567ha. The site sits within the Carstairs Junction settlement, and a lease for the community hall building was acquired under the CAT/25/0004 community asset transfer application that was passed by the Housing and Technical Resources Committee on 8 October 2025.”

“Layout, Siting and Design 10.7. Policy 14 of NPF4, Design Quality and Place seeks to encourage successful places, through incorporating these 6 qualities: healthy, pleasant, connected, distinctive, sustainable, and adaptable. The proposal would reuse the existing community building on the site, creating a single-storey rear extension that would add two meeting rooms, and a kitchen to the rear of the building.”

“In relation to the other matters raised, some of the representations identified concerns regarding potential noise impact. The proposal is located a sufficient distance from the nearest shared boundary (21m) from the proposed rear extension. Prior to the application, the closest point between the Hall and the closest neighbouring dwelling would have been a 26m distance. The proposal would enlarge the capacity of the hall but would not change the nature of its use.”

“Representations 7.1. Following the statutory periods of neighbour notification and advertisement, 6 objections have been received, and 6 in support. The issues raised are summarised as follows:-”

“Design and Amenity Issues • Loss of greenspace • Noise impact • Impact on the amenity of neighbouring dwellings • Use of surrounding land for the extension • Excessive size of proposed kitchen…”

“Other Matters Raised • No need for the Hall to be extended • Concern about bird nesting…”

“There followed a discussion on the application during which an officer undertook to find out if the development would meet the criteria for developer funding.”

“The Committee decided: that planning application P/26/0396 by Soul of the Junction for the erection of a single storey rear extension and associated alterations at Carstairs Junction Hall, 20 St Charles Avenue, Carstairs Junction be granted subject to the conditions specified in the Executive Director’s report.”

“Grant full planning permission subject to conditions:-”

“The development to which this permission relates shall be begun no later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of grant of this decision notice.”