3G artificial football pitch at Bradeley Football Centre, Chell Heath, Stoke-on-Trent

What was proposed

The application proposed a 3G artificial turf pitch, fencing, lighting, extra parking, cycle storage, landscaping and a new vehicle access.

“This application seeks planning permission for the construction of a new 3G Artificial Turf Pitch (5,917sqm) with associated facilities and infrastructure; namely new fencing, lighting columns and lampposts. The new facility will be used for football development, training and matchday activities replacing one of the site’s existing grass pitches.”

“In addition to the proposed pitch, a new hard surfaced car-parking area will be delivered to serve the development. This will provide a further 44 standard parking spaces, 6 disabled bays, 6 electric vehicle bays and a small area for motorbikes. A covered cycle store with space for 30 bikes is also proposed. The existing access to the site will no longer serve vehicles and bollards placed within the site will ensure it is only accessible to pedestrians / cyclists.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered a sports changing room facility and the change of use of land to public open space.

“38454/REG3 • Erection of sports changing room facility. Approved in 2001. 07314/FUL • Change of use of lad to public open space. Approved in 1978”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers judged that the enhanced community sports facility would outweigh the loss of a grass pitch and that technical impacts could be controlled by conditions.

“In conclusion, whilst the proposed development would result in the ‘loss’ of an existing grass playing pitch which conflicts with the general presumptions of both national and local policy, it is to be replaced by a new purpose-built sports provision. The new facility will be available to the community whilst also fulfilling an objectively assessed need in the North of the city for an all-weather training pitch.”

“Accordingly, both the principle and technical details of the scheme are judged by Officers to be acceptable and the scheme is therefore recommended for approval subject to the suite of planning conditions below.”

Officer report

Consultees and public comments

Consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while three objections cited noise, traffic, environmental harm and increased flood risk.

“LPA Ecologist Based on revised ecological information: no objection subject to conditions Natural England No comments to make and no objection raised Lead Local Flood Authority No objection subject to conditions Public Health: Contamination No objection and no conditions required Public Health: Air Quality No objection and no conditions required Public Health: Noise/Light No objection subject to conditions with advice offered pertaining to light and noise impacts…”

“In addition to the consultee comments summarised above, three public objection comments have been submitted in response to this application and these can be summarised into the following themes: • Increase in noise and disturbance • Adverse traffic implications • Harmful environmental impact • Increased flood risk arising from loss of pitch The full and unabridged public objections can be seen by visiting the Council’s Planning website.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from an agent and a Community and CSR Director speaking for the applicant.

Changes to the conditions

The changes added rubber crumb containment details, strengthened drainage controls, required containment measures and controlled overspill parking.

“Proposed rubber crumb containment measures (containment barrier 0.25m, detox unit, cleaning stations, containment barrier 0.5m. Note: surface water containment measures to be addressed through requirements of condition 4) Ref: S24-038 / DWG / 0023”

“A new condition to control overspill parking is proposed as follows: ‘Notwithstanding the submitted details and approved plans, with respect to the area denoted on the proposed layout plan (S24-038 / DWG / 0003 Rev 8) as being for overspill parking, a scheme for the installation of permanent protective ground measures shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA. The area in question shall not be used for the parking of any vehicles until the…”

Minutes