Synthetic turf football pitch at Langho Sports and Social Club, Langho

What was proposed

The application proposed a synthetic turf pitch with fencing, floodlighting, an access path, changing facilities, car park works and equipment.

“PROPOSED CREATION OF A SYNTHETIC TURF PITCH WITH FENCING, FLOODLIGHTING, ACCESS PATH, CHANGING BLOCK, AND THE EXTENSION AND FORMALISATION OF THE EXISTING CAR PARK AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT AT LANGHO SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB, NORTHCOTE ROAD, LANGHO BB6 8BE”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is an existing sports playing field in open countryside, about 250 metres north of Langho’s settlement area and surrounded mainly by farmland.

“Members will note that the application is being brought before Committee due to the application being made on behalf of Ribble Valley Borough Council, with the land to which the application relates also falling within the ownership of the authority.”

“The application site relates to an existing sports playing field accessed off Northcote Road and located within the Open Countryside, approximately 250m north of the defined settlement area of Langho. The surrounding area comprises predominantly agricultural fields.”

Officer report

Earlier site applications

Earlier approved applications covered replacement changing rooms, changing rooms for players and officials, and playing-field development with changing facilities and parking.

“3/1990/0501: Erection of changing rooms for the use of players and officials (Approved).”

“3/1986/0519: Development of playing field to include changing facilities and car parking. area (Approved).”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the pitch would address a shortage of accessible 3G facilities and provide benefits outweighing the loss of the existing grass pitch.

“The proposal seeks to provide alternative sports and recreational facilities through the replacement of an existing grass football pitch with a synthetic turf pitch and associated infrastructure. Consequently, consideration must be given to whether the benefits arising from the proposed facility are sufficient to outweigh the loss of, or prejudice to, the existing playing field in accordance with paragraph 104(c) of the NPPF.”

“In light of the identified quantitative and qualitative need for additional 3G provision, and having regard to the conclusions of the PPS, Football Foundation and Sport England, it is considered that the proposed synthetic turf pitch would deliver substantial community and sporting benefits. The development would make a significant contribution towards addressing an established deficiency in facilities and provide an all-weather, year-round sporting resource.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The highway authority and Sport England raised no objection, while environmental health requested noise and further lighting information.

“Lancashire County Council, acting as the Local Highway Authority, does not raise an objection regarding the proposed development and are of the opinion that the proposed development us unlikely to have a significant impact on highway safety, capacity or amenity in the immediate vicinity of the site. They have requested a number of conditions and informatives be applied to any planning approval.”

“The Environmental Health Officer has requested a noise assessment which assesses the potential for noise affecting nearby sensitive receptors, namely a nearby residential property at Northcote Stud and the Northcote Hotel.”

Officer report

Other views received

The parish council made no comment and no third-party representations were received.

“CONSULTEE RESPONSES/ REPRESENTATIONS MADE:”

“Billington and Langho Parish Council were consulted on the application; however, no comments have been received.”

Officer report

The decision

“THAT COMMITTEE: DEFER AND DELEGATE to officers for approval following the satisfactory conclusion of noise and ecology issues subject to the following conditions (with subsequent conditions on outstanding noise and ecology matters to be added by officers as appropriate): 1. The development must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission. REASON: Required to be imposed by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. 2. The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out otherwise than in conformity with the following submitted plans therein received by the Local Planning Authority unless prohibited by any other condition. Location Plan (dwg no. 25-0632 (G-234210) 01 Rev 01) Site Plan (dwg no. 25-0632 (G-234210) 02 Rev 01) STP Layout (dwg no. 25-0632 (G-234210) 03 Rev 01) Sporting”

Minutes, 23 Jul 2026