Catering trailer and signs at Swindon Playing Field, Cheltenham
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Cheltenham Planning Committee on 16 Oct 2025.
The site and its setting
The playing field is public green space in the Swindon Village conservation area, with vehicle access and parking from Wymans Lane.
“DESCRIPTION OF SITE AND PROPOSAL 1.1 Swindon Playing Field is located to the west of Wymans Lane, within Swindon parish and Swindon Village conservation area, and comprises a large parcel of Public Green Space. Vehicular access and car parking is provided from Wymans Lane.”
Officer report
Earlier planning history
Earlier permissions covered sports pavilions, playgroup use, fencing and the creation of a car parking area.
“Constraints: Conservation Area Principal Urban Area Public Green Space (GE36)”
“Planning History: T697/I PERMIT 15th July 1980 Erection of a sports pavilion and enlarged car parking facilities…”
Officer report
Who spoke
One objector spoke, questioning the application’s information, consultation, impartiality, licensing, equality assessment, location and loss of parking spaces.
What members debated
Members discussed parking, the park’s public character, generator noise, further engagement and whether the proposal would improve accessibility without increasing litter.
“The matter then went to Member debate where the following points were made: - Members were concerned about the parking spaces and the inability to reserve them, however that is not a consideration for the planning committee. - There are many free to use public spaces in Cheltenham where commercial ventures are present, but that continue to be free to use. For example, the space behind Cheltenham Town Hall and around Pittville Pump Room.”
“The Senior Planning Officer confirmed that environmental health had been consulted on the application in regards to noise and they are happy with the anticipated noise from the generator and its impact on local residents and the locality in general.”
Minutes
The committee vote
Members voted on the officer recommendation to permit the application, with eight votes for, none against and one abstention.
“The matter then went to the vote on the officer recommendation to permit the application.”
Minutes
Operating hours condition
The permission limits customer service to specified weekday, Saturday and Sunday hours.
“No customers shall be served outside of the following hours:”
“Monday to Friday – 7.30am to 5.30pm Saturday – 8:30am to 5pm Sunday – 9am to 4pm…”
Officer report
Sources
- Cheltenham Planning Committee minutes, 16 October 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Cheltenham's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Cheltenham Planning Committee
- Council
- Cheltenham
- Date
- Thursday 16 October 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Cheltenham committee decisions →
This committee's year
14 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 1 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.