Sports and community hub at Sports Pavilion, Decoy Drive, Angmering

The site and surroundings

The site is an existing recreation ground beside homes, approved housing and open fields, with access from Decoy Drive and footpaths from the west and east.

“Members will note that as shown on the site access drawing, a signal-controlled crossing and white zigzag lines are to be implemented south of the new access as a result of the permission given for the housing development to the north (A/122/19/OUT). SITE AREA4.10 hectares. TOPOGRAPHYThe site appears predominantly flat but has a gentle 1 in 72 gradient from the northeast to southwest. There is also a slight incline up the pathway from Arundel Road on the eastern side.”

“SITE CHARACTERISTICSThe site is an existing recreation ground and features a large playing field comprising cricket square, football/rugby pitches, and a hard surfaced basketball court. There is also a single storey pavilion/changing building, play area and a storage container. The site is accessed from Decoy Drive where there is a small car park. There are separate footpath accesses from the west (from the Public Right of Way) and on the east side from Arundel Road.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

An earlier sports hub application was withdrawn for additional ecology surveys, while nearby applications established housing, commercial and additional sports-pitch proposals.

“The previous application (A/222/24/PL) was withdrawn due to the need to undertake additional ecology surveys. Pre-application advice was given reference the Sports Hub proposals in June 2022, and it was concluded that the proposed development was acceptable in principle but that there was insufficient detail at that time to fully consider the proposal.”

“Applications A/282/22/RES, A/207/21/PL and A/122/19/OUT all refer to the residential development currently being constructed on the adjoining land to the north by Barratt Redrow. As part of the Outline permission, the developer has to provide land to ADC (the Sports Pitch Land) for the purposes of providing two sports pitches.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional approval because the countryside conflict was outweighed by the existing sports use, surrounding development and health benefits.

“The site lies in the countryside as defined by both the ALP and the ANDP. Arun Local Plan policy C SP1 lists certain categories of development that are appropriate in the countryside. However, the proposal does not meet these as it is not for "quiet, informal recreation" (criteria b) and no other categories are relevant. The policy also states development is acceptable where it is in accordance with another policy in the Plan (criteria f).”

“The site is also an existing sports facility on which there is already a building, and other fixed surface infrastructure. The development proposed would constitute an intensification of the use of the site, but it would not adversely impact upon the established character of the site to the extent that it would detrimentally impact upon the beauty of the wider countryside.”

Officer report

Who spoke

There were no public speakers, and the Principal Planning Officer introduced the application and explained an amendment to a noise condition.

The committee vote

The recommendation was proposed and seconded before the committee voted to approve the application with conditions.

“The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Wallsgrove and seconded by Councillor Lury.”

“As no other members wished to speak, the Chair then put the recommendation to the vote where the Committee then voted to approve the application with conditions…”

Minutes