Three artificial grass pitches at Priestmead Primary School, Kenton

“Planning permission is sought to create a new external sports pitch development with associated features including the provision of 3 no. Artificial Grass Pitches (AGP) with 4G artificial grass to accommodate 2no. 20x10m football pitches and 1no. 39mx23m area designed to support 2no. 5v5 (5 a side) and 1no. 7v7 (7 a side) football pitches at Priestmead Primary School.”

“The proposal also includes the provision of Macadam hardstanding viewing areas and goal storage areas around the pitches, 6m high fencing to the perimeter of the pitch area (7m to southern boundary) and to each court finished in polyester powder coated RAL6005 Moss Green, with a 3m high rebound board to the interior pitch fencing to current Football Association (FA) requirements.”

“The application site comprises of a three-storey primary school building accessed from Oakfield Avenue on the sites southern boundary that feeds through to the car park also located on the site’s southern boundary. To the south of the site lies the rear gardens of Hartford Avenue and to the east of the site lies the rear gardens associated with Kenton Lane.”

“The proposed development site comprises grassed landscape area located to the south of the main school building. To the north of the main school is a wider playing field. The school also comprises of two separate car parks, one directly to the south of the proposed pitch areas and an overflow car park to the northeast of the wider school site.”

“P/3562/15 - Demolition of existing primary school, nursery buildings and scout hut; redevelopment to provide a single, two and three storey building for new four form of entry primary school and nursery; associated landscaping to include hard and soft play areas, MUGA, growing garden, farm area; boundary treatment; parking and cycle storage; replacement scout hut – Approved 23/10/15.”

“The applicant had originally indicated that the proposed pitches would be in use between the hours of 08:00-22:00 Monday-Saturday and until 20:00 on Sundays. During the school day the pitches would be in use by the school themselves for educational purposes, after which they would be available to members of the public. During times of low light levels the floodlighting would be in operation and turned off at 22:00 (Mon-Sat)/20:00 (Sun).”

“It is noted that concerns have been raised by local residents who raise concerns over noise impacts associated with the proposed development, particularly during the evenings. Whilst the proposal has been assessed by the Council’s Environmental Health officer, who has raised no objection to the proposal and considers that the submitted Noise Impact Assessment and the Noise Management Plan to be satisfactory, officers consider that the use of floodlighting late into the…”

“The applicant has indicated that they have seen significant interest from various community groups and local football clubs to utilise the site’s proposed sports facilities and through the Football Foundation process, have identified a strong demand for increased access to quality facilities, especially for youth and grassroots football.”

“It is noted that within a 2-mile radius from the school there are two other places where the public can book pitches but the applicant outlined that these are often full and furthermore, that there are no 7 a side facilities at all.”

“DECISION: GRANT subject to the legal agreement set out in the Officer’s report.”

“The Committee wished it to be recorded that the decision to grant the application was unanimous.”