Stadium redevelopment at Existing Football Stadium The Oval Parkgate Drive, Belfast

“Development Management Report Committee Date: 17 th June 2024 Application ID: LA04/2024/0211/F Proposal: Redevelopment of the existing stadium by way of demolition of both existing stands and construction of two new spectator stands with reconfiguration of existing standing terracing at goal ends, new turnstiles and associated siteworks including new floodlighting, additional car parking and improved circulation routes to provide an overall capacity for 6000 spectators on…”

“The application seeks full planning permission for the redevelopment of the existing stadium by way of demolition of both existing stands and construction of two new spectator stands with reconfiguration of existing standing terracing at goal ends, new turnstiles and associated siteworks including new floodlighting, additional car parking and improved circulation routes to provide an overall capacity for 6,000 spectators on site.”

“The application is an existing football ground consisting of two covered spectator stands along each touchline with standing terrace at goal ends. The changing facilitates and clubhouse are all contained within the main stand. A car park and turnstiles make up the 2.75ha site. The site is bounded by a railway line and bypass on its north side and community playing fields on its east side. Residential development abuts the site on its south and west sides.”

“The surrounding area is inner-city and predominantly residential, characterised by two- storey red brick terraced houses.”

“PLANNING HISTORY The site has no relevant planning history, however, the proposal was subject to Pre- Application Discussion (PAD) with officers and Proposal of Application Notice (PAN): LA04/2021/0960/PAN - Demolition of existing spectator stand to be replaced with 2 new all seater stands totalling 4000 capacity and reconfiguration of existing standing terracing at goal ends providing 2000 person capacity.”

“Policy CI1 (Community Infrastructure) and Policy OS5 (Intensive sports facilities) support the improvement of existing facilities subject to no unacceptable impact on residential amenity or natural/built heritage and satisfactory arrangements for / no impact on access, car parking, drainage and waste disposal. Therefore, there is policy support for improvement of existing facilities, subject to detailed consideration of the issues.”

“The proposal is acceptable having regard to Policy OS1 and Policy OS5 of the Plan Strategy in that the sports facility is within the settlement limits and the proposal relates to the redevelopment of an existing open space and an intensive sports facility. It is considered that the proposal is deemed to have no adverse impact on the sporting potential of the facility. There is no loss of open space, rather an alteration / enhancement of its existing facilities.”

“The stadium will be built in its current orientation to maintain the characteristic oval design and maintain the current ingress/egress routes to and from the site. The main access is via Parkgate Drive to the south of the site and is used for all vehicular traffic to and from the stadium. There are 5 existing exit routes around the stadium which will be retained within the new design.”

“Vehicular access will remain via Parkgate Drive with the inclusion of upgraded access routes within the site. The pedestrian cage at the at the northwest entrance is to be removed to allow this to also be utilised as an emergency vehicle entry point. Ancillary space around the stadium will accommodate upgraded parking provision, and accessibility to all sections of the ground. DfI Roads has been consulted and is content with regards to all parking and access arrangements.”

“DFI Roads – No objection, subject to conditions. DFI Rivers – No objection NI Water – No objection DAERA NIEA - No objection subject to conditions Historic Environment Division (HED) – No objection, subject to conditions…”

“BCC Plans & Policy team – No objection BCC Environmental Health – No objection, subject to conditions BCC Urban Design – No objection BCC Landscape & Development – No objection BCC Economic Development Unit – No objection Translink – No objection NIE – No objection Belfast City Airport – No objection Shared Environmental Services (SES) – No objection, subject to a conditions RSPB – No objection…”

“The application has been advertised in the press and neighbours notified. Five third party representations have been received, two of these are objections, two are in support of the scheme and one is neither objection nor support. The points raised are summarised below.”

“The other representation asked if toilets would be provided at the away end of the facility. Both stands have male and female toilets.”

“The Senior Planning Officer provided the Committee with an overview of the application and outlined the following key points for consideration:”

“Principle of development at the location; • Design, placemaking and impact on amenity; • Access and transport; • Healthy communities; • Built heritage; • Natural heritage; • Climate change; • Flood risk and drainage; • Waste-water infrastructure; • Environmental protection; • Waste management; • Employability and skills; and • Pre-application community consultation.”

“The Committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions, and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to resolve final consultation responses, finalise the wording of conditions, and to deal with any other matters that might arise provided that they were not substantive.”