3G pitch and MUGA at Alde Valley High School, Leiston

What was proposed

The application proposed a new 3G grass pitch, a separate MUGA, fencing, barriers, floodlights, hardstanding, a store and a walkway.

“DC/23/4556/FULLocation Alde Valley High School Seaward Avenue Leiston Suffolk IP16 4BG Expiry date12 March 2024 Application typeFull Application ApplicantPulse Design & Build ParishLeiston Cum Sizewell ProposalCreation of new 3GGrass Pitch and separate Muga pitch, installation of new 4.5m high ball stop fencing and entrance gates to AGP perimeter, installation of a new 2.0m high and 1.2m high pitch perimeter barrier and entrance gates within AGP enclosure, installation of…”

“1.Summary 1.1.This application seeks planning permission for the creation of a new Artificial (3G) Grass Pitch (AGP) and separate Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) pitch. This will include the installation of 4.5m high ball stop fencing and entrance gates to AGP perimeter, installation of a 2.0m high and 1.2m high pitch perimeter barrier and entrance gates within AGP enclosure, installation of hard standing areas, installation of a floodlight system to both AGP and MUGA pitches,…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The pitches would be on the school’s playing fields beside the leisure centre, with homes to the west and north and countryside beyond.

“The application site, as defined by the red line Location Plan, is made up of the school’s playing fields which consist of two distinct fields, an area to the immediate south of the school buildings and north of Grimsey Lane, and an area within a larger rectangular field to the east of the main school site.”

Officer report

Other views received

A third-party representation supported the application, while highways raised no objection and environmental protection found predicted noise levels within guidance.

“(Sports Facilities - Landscape works including one 3G Pitch and two multi-use games courts, with associated fencing and floodlighting) cannot commence until details relating to the layout, scale, and external appearance of the landscape works have been submitted to and approved by East Suffolk Council (ESC). This planning application has been put forward to secure these details in addition to other considerations.”

“(Ref: Revision 1.0-SEP_24), dated September 2024 was based on the guidance from Sport England - 3GPitch (AGP) Acoustics concluded that the noise that: - Proposed afternoon use- the noise impact will only slightly impact the nearest sensitive receptors; - Proposed evening use- the noise will increase for two of the nearest sensitive receptors. The predicted noise levels at these receptors are within the Sport England guidelines and no mitigation measures were recommended.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the council’s Leisure Development Partnership Manager and the agent about community access, management and the proposed facilities.

The vote and decision

Councillors unanimously resolved to support approval with the stated conditions, including limits on construction, facility use and floodlighting.

“The application should therefore be support and is recommended for approval, subject to the conditions outlined below. Conditions 1) Standard 3-year time limit for implementation 2) Approved drawings and documents Ecology 3) Lighting Design Strategy for Biodiversity 4) Ecological Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy Sport England Related 5) Submission and approval of FIFA quality concept for football turf certification and confirmation of inclusion on the FAs register of…”

“12) Construction Hours (including deliveries) limited to 8am to 6pm weekdays, 8am to 1pm Saturdays only. 13) Compliance with the submitted "lighting design strategy for biodiversity". 14) Use of MUGA and 3G only between 8am to 10pm weekdays, 9am to 5pm Saturdays, Sundays and Bank or Public Holidays. 15) Hours of use of flood lighting limited to 8am to 10:10pm weekdays, 9am to 5:10pm Saturdays, Sundays and Bank or Public Holidays.”

Minutes