Natural grass football pitches at Club House, Middlesex Stadium, Breakspear Road, Ruislip

What was proposed

The application proposed natural grass football pitches using imported soils, with rainwater harvesting, planting and habitat creation.

“Proposal: Construction of natural grass football pitches using imported soils approved for use by the Environment Agency. Proposals include rainwater harvesting scheme, extensive planting and habitat creation.”

“Planning permission is sought for the construction of natural grass football pitches using imported soils . The proposal also includes a rainwater harvesting scheme and additional planting, which will in turn create additional ecological habitats.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was an unused field within a stadium grounds, surrounded mainly by housing and located in the Green Belt and a critical drainage area.

“The development site is located on the northern side of Breakspear Road and comprises a n unused field within the grounds of The Middlesex Stadium. The northern portion of the wider site comprises established football pitches. The centre and eastern parts of the wider site comprise a single storey building known as the Club House. To the front and side of the mentioned building is hardstanding which accommodates walkways and parking.”

“In terms of constraints, the site falls within a critical drainage area and is prone to surface water flooding. The western part of the site falls within a Flood Bank Protection zone, Functional Flood Plain and Flood Zones 2/3. The development site is also located within the Green Belt.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Permission for football pitches at the same location had previously been granted, but those pitches were not constructed.

“A list of the relevant planning history related to the property can be found in Appendix 2. It should be noted that permission was granted for football pitches in the same location under planning application no.17942/APP/2003/646, however the pitches were not constructed.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the sports benefits outweighed the limited Green Belt impact and found no harmful effects on neighbours, highways or the area’s character.

“The proposed use for outdoor sports is considered appropriate development in the Green Belt. The provision of new pitches would benefit the local community by repurposing underutilised grassland to enhance local sports provision. Simultaneously, use of the pitches supports healthy and active lifestyles, particularly for youth, thereby promoting overall community well- being.”

“The engineering works to alter the site levels to create the pitches would have a minimal impact on the openness of the Green Belt. However, these changes are designed to be subtle; with the most significant height increases placed away from public viewpoints thus reducing their visual impact.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Environment Agency and Sport England raised no objection, while consultees supported the proposal subject to conditions on soils, drainage, landscaping and parking.

“Hillingdon Planning Committee – 5 th November 2025 PART 1 – Members, Public & Press  January 2025, Sport England now considers that the proposal would be beneficial to sport thus broadly aligning with Exception 5 of its Playing Fields Policy (see Annex below for details) and the National Planning Policy Framework, paragraph 104. As a result, Sport England does not wish to object to the application.”

“No objection subject to a condition requiring the submission of details relating to sustainable drainage and long-term management and maintenance of the drainage system.”

Officer report

Public comments

One letter of support said the proposal would benefit the whole community.

“A site notice was placed at the site on 02/01/25. 46 neighbouring properties were consulted on the application by letter dated 07-03-25. During the 21-day consultation periods 1 letter of support was received stating that the proposal would be of benefit to all the community. The comment is noted, and the benefits of the scheme have been discussed in detail within paragraphs 7.1 to 7.6 of this report.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Peter Smallwood spoke in strong support, highlighting grassroots football, community life, sports provision, drainage, biodiversity and Green Belt openness.

What members discussed

Members welcomed the community benefits and asked about construction timing, traffic and lighting controls.

“The Committee welcomed the proposal as a positive community benefit. Questions were asked about construction timing and traffic impact. Officers confirmed completion within three planting seasons and explained that traffic increases during soil importation would be temporary and managed through a Construction Management Plan. Lighting was addressed, with a condition requiring further approval for floodlighting.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The application was proposed, seconded and approved unanimously.

“The application was proposed, seconded, and unanimously approved.”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning permission was approved in line with the officer recommendation, subject to a minor typographical amendment to condition 4.

“RESOLVED: That the application be approved as per officer recommendation subject to the minor typographical amendment to condition 4.”

Minutes