School sports pitches at Kingsbury High School, London NW9

“PROPOSAL IN DETAIL The development seeks the addition of a multi-use games area facility comprising two artificial sports pitches. The pitch to the west has been marked on the plans for football and the pitch on the east has been on the plans for hockey. The two artificial sport pitches combined will occupy a 126m x 102.5m section of the schools playing field on the southern side of the school site.”

“The size of the hockey pitch was reduced and pushed further to the northwest away from the boundary. • Lighting controls. • Acoustic fencing was added. • An area of biodiversity grassland was added. • Additionally, following comments from the local gas operator, the ball stop netting location was moved further away from the site boundary as not to fall over safeguarded land.”

“Parts of the park are also designated as Grade 2 Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SNIC). The wider school site and playing field is close to the Roe Green Village Conservation Area, bounded to the east by Bacon Lane. To the west of the application site are residential properties on Grosvenor Crescent and Manor Close. SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES The key planning issues for Members to consider are set out below.”

“However, due to the nature of the development it is acknowledged that there is only a limited risk associated with fire safety. RELEVANT SITE HISTORY No relevant planning history CONSULTATIONS 89 nearby properties, including Friends of Eton Grove Park and the Roe Green Village Residents Association were notified by letter of this proposal for a minimum of 21 days on 28/03/2025.”

“The use of lightweight and permeable materials, together with appropriate colours, ensures that the structures would not appear unduly visually intrusive or undermine the open character of the wider site, playing fields or surrounding open space. Subject to the detailed lighting and design conditions recommended, the development is considered to comply with Local Plan policies and the principles of Brent’s Design Guide SPD1. 149.”

“The scheme also achieves a substantial biodiversity net gain of +39.66%, exceeding the statutory minimum of 10%, and a Biodiversity Gain Plan will be secured through the statutory BNG condition to ensure long term habitat delivery and management. Transport impacts have been assessed, with the existing 83 space car park identified as more than sufficient to accommodate anticipated community use outside school hours.”

“Concerns relating to the origins of support comments. Any interested party who may be affected by a planning application is welcome to submit comments, objections or letters of support. Artificial pitches are linked to health conditions as a result of toxic chemicals on the surface of the pitch. The concerns raised regarding potential health effects associated with the materials used in artificial sports pitches are noted.”

“Beneficial for the students and wider community, where the existing field is unsuitable • Future proof hockey in the borough Internal Consultations Brent's Environmental Health and Noise Officers - No objection raised subject to conditions. External Consultation Sport England – No objection raised subject to conditions. Local Lead Flood Authority - No objection raised. The proposed measures are considered to be acceptable.”

“Having considered the application, the Committee RESOLVED to grant planning permission subject to:”

“(Voting on the above decision was as follows: 7 in favour of granting planning permission and 1 in favour of refusal).”