Extended skatepark floodlighting at Skatepark Orwell Green, Felixstowe

The site and its setting

The established skatepark is an important community facility in open space, accessed by paths and surrounded by nearby residential properties.

“3.Site notices Site Notice TypeDate PostedExpiry dateReason General Site Notice25 November 202416 December 2024General Site Notice General Site Notice25 November 202416 December 2024General Site Notice 4.Planning policy National Planning Policy Framework 2024 SCLP11.2 - Residential Amenity (East Suffolk Council - Suffolk Coastal Local Plan, Adopted September 2020) SCLP11.1 - Design Quality (East Suffolk Council - Suffolk Coastal Local Plan, Adopted September 2020) SCLP10.3 -…”

“5.2The skatepark is accessible via pedestrian paths and is located within the open space to the north of the Owl and Pussycat public house, Morrison’s supermarket, and Christ Church. 5.3Residential properties are located more distant to the east, west and farther north. Closest residential properties are at Shotley Close, over 50 metres away. 40”

Officer report

Earlier permission and lighting

The skatepark was permitted in 2006, while existing conditions controlled lighting hours and required equipment to prevent glare into homes.

“6.Proposal 6.1The original planning permission has been implemented, and all other conditions are no longer relevant. However, in respect of the floodlighting, the following conditions on that permission are still relevant and subject of this application: “The floodlighting shall not be operated outside the hours of 9.00 to 20.30 hours daily, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the local planning authority.”

“This is proposed to make the space safer and prevent anti-social behaviour at these times. The second of those existing conditions is not proposed for amendment, but it is still relevant to the decision here and will be covered further in this report. 7.Third Party Representations 7.1Five letters of objection have been received from residents of Shotley Close, which is east of the skatepark.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council and society raised no objection, while environmental protection supported the hours subject to controlling glare and considering possible noise.

“2.Consultee Responses ConsulteeDate consultedDate reply received Felixstowe Town Council4 December 2024 20 November 2024 No response 27 November 2024 “Committee recommended APPROVAL.” ConsulteeDate consultedDate reply received East Suffolk Environmental Protection4 December 2024 20 November 2024 25 November 2025 (final response) 23 December 2024 Summary of comments: December 2024 Environmental Protection would not object to the variation of operating hours based on the…”

“We do not have a standard paragraph suggestion for lighting, but I would suggest: • That a suitably qualified/experienced professional is required to assess the existing lighting and produce a scheme of mitigation to prevent unreasonable glare affecting occupiers of neighbouring properties and gardens. • Guidance from the Institute of Lighting Professionals and any other relevant guidance must be considered.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Planning Manager presented the application, and the Communities Officer explained reported anti-social behaviour, police patrols and users’ safety concerns.

The vote

Councillors Deacon and Reeves proposed and seconded approval, which the committee agreed unanimously.

“Councillor Deacon said he was more than happy to support this motion only if the shrouding was implemented. In the last 3 days he had been past when the lights were on and they were very bright. Something must happen soon to sort this. Councillor Reeves reiterated what Councillor Deacon said. He thought it was a great scheme that helps a lot of people in the area but needs to be subject to shrouding.”

“On the proposal of Councillor Deacon, seconded by Councillor Reeves it was unanimously…”

Minutes