Padel court conversion at New Potts Farm, Lower Road, Peldon, Colchester

“Site Description and Context 3.1 The application site is located some distance south of the Peldon settlement boundary, accessed via a significant length of driveway as seen in the above plan.”

“The site is accessed from Lower Road via Newpotts Lane and the nearest dwelling is “Englesbatch” some 600 metres to the north.”

“DC0901MWeV11 6.0 Relevant Planning History 6.1 242155 – Lawful Development certificate for proposed development of extension to existing commercial building and associated external work including formation of hard standing landings – Approved by Planning Committee…”

“Having regard to the statutory Development Plan as a whole and all other material considerations, it is considered that the proposal represents an appropriate form of rural diversification and re-use of an existing building.”

“Overall, the proposal is considered to represent sustainable development, making effective use of an existing building, supporting rural economic resilience, and providing a recreational facility without resulting in significant adverse impacts.”

“Highways Authority No comment as in relation to the application site, Newpots Lane is a Private road and non-maintainable Public Highway (not the responsibility of the Highway Authority).”

“Representations from Notified Parties 10.1 The application resulted in a number of notifications to interested third parties including neighbouring properties. The full text of all of the representations received is available to view on the Council’s website. However, a summary of the material considerations is given below.”

“Concerns regarding the loss of commercial use and employment • Concerns in relation to the existing access track and the lack of footway or connections to the local footpath network or bus stop services • Concerns regarding the previous lawful development permission and the application process • No preliminary Ecological Appraisal submitted with the scheme…”

“Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby permitted, the parking spaces shall have been laid out within the site in accordance with the approved Car Parking Plan ref: CPP01. The approved car parking shall thereafter be maintained free from obstruction and available for parking use at all times.”

“Prior to the first occupation, precise details of the refuse storage area shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved refuse storage area shall thereafter be retained as such. Reason: To ensure that there is satisfactory refuse storage provision in the interests of the amenity of the area.”

“260305 New Potts Farm, Lower Road, Peldon Councillor Davidson declared a pecuniary interest as Director of the applicant company and recused himself for the item. The Committee considered an application for Change of use of Commercial Building to Class E (d) Leisure and Sport Padel Court. The application was referred to the Planning Committee because the because the owner of the site was a Colchester City Councillor.”