Two padel courts at Oxton Cricket Club, Oxton, Prenton

The site and its surroundings

The site formed part of the cricket club, included existing tennis courts and unused grassland, and bordered homes, sports facilities and a field.

“The site forms part of [the applicant] Club which is located to the south of Townfield Lane in Oxton. The site boundary describes a largely rectangular site to the west of the cricket club grounds and incorporates existing tennis courts and an area of grassland that was formerly a grass tennis court, as well as a small clubhouse pavilion building and access to car parking on either side of Townfield Lane to the north east of the main site.”

Officer report

Earlier site decisions

Earlier permissions covered cricket ball-stop fencing, a palisade fence, a boundary fence and a bowls and tennis pavilion.

“Planning History: APP/20/00475 - Installation of two lengths of permanent netted cricket ball stop fencing to boundaries with surrounding housing 1no. 12m high x 50m long approx. and 1no. 12m high x 106m approx. Approved June 2020”

“APP/89/07804 - Erection of bowls/tennis pavilion. Approved February 1990”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Twenty-four responses raised flooding and drainage concerns, while consultees generally raised no objection subject to drainage, biodiversity and highway conditions.

“* Houses on Duddon Close have been flooded on two occasions in recent years due to lack of appropriate drainage from the site; * Adding padel courts to the inadequate and overloaded drainage system will increase the risk of flooding resulting in health hazards and property damage; * Duddon Close properties are at high risk of yearly flooding by surface water; * The removal of almost 900sqm of soft ground will increase surface water runoff because rainwater will not be able…”

“Highways - no objection subject to condition requiring consent for any works associated with the construction of pedestrian access from the highway.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A representative of the lead petitioners addressed the committee, and the applicant’s agent addressed members and answered their questions.

Members considered the application

Members debated the application before the Vice-Chair proposed approval, seconded by another councillor.

“Members debated the application. On a motion by the Vice-Chair, Councillor Steve Foulkes, and seconded by Councillor Andrew Gardner, it was:”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee unanimously authorised approval, subject to conditions covering the development, lighting, operating hours, access, biodiversity and bird protection.

“Resolved (unanimously) – That for the reasons set out in the report the Chief Planner, Assistant Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to approve the application subject to the following conditions:”

“Construction of the development authorised by this permission shall not begin until the LPA has approved in writing a full scheme of works for the construction of the pedestrian access from the highway and any amendments to the existing highway made necessary by this development, including details of the new permanent pedestrian access in accordance with LPA crossing specifications and amendments to the footway to Townfield Road.”

Minutes