Sports facilities and care home at Amersham and Chiltern Rugby Club, Ash Grove, Amersham

The site and its setting

The rugby club site lies at the end of Ash Grove within the Green Belt, beside woodland, protected trees, the railway and designated environmental areas.

“Summary & Recommendation/ Reason for Planning Committee Consideration 1.1 The application site is located at the end of Ash Grove on the western edge of Amersham and is currently occupied by Amersham and Chiltern Rugby Club. The site is within the Green Belt and adjacent to the Chilterns National Landscape, Ancient Woodland and Tree Preservation Orders. It is also within the Zone of Influence of the Chiltern Beechwood Special Area of Conservation (SAC).”

Officer report

Consultation and public views

Highways and Sport England raised no objection, while other consultees sought conditions or further information; 167 representations supported and 162 opposed the application.

“Sport England: “Sport England raises no objection to the application because it is considered to accord with Exceptions 2 (clubhouse extension and car park surfacing) 3 (care home and astro-turf replacement) and 5 (rest of the proposal) of our Playing Fields Policy and paragraph 104 of the NPPF.” “There appears to be the need for the proposed sport facilities and there does not appear to be a reduction in the number playing pitches currently marked out on the site, some of…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The meeting heard from a ward member, a town council representative, two objectors, a supporter and a representative of the applicant.

The committee vote

Members voted in favour of the motion to approve the application in accordance with the officer recommendation, subject to amendments and an added condition.

“Members voted in favour of the motion to approve the application, in accordance with the officer recommendation to: Defer and delegate the application to the Director of Planning, Growth and Sustainability to GRANT planning permission, subject to the conditions set out in this report and the satisfactory completion of a Legal Agreement relating to the secure the contribution to health care and Travel Plan monitoring.”

“It was proposed by Councillor M Tett and seconded by Councillor Dr. W Matthews.”

Minutes