Leisure and recreation facilities at Land Off Mansfield Road, Clipstone

What was proposed

The application proposed leisure and recreation facilities including pitches, a multi-sports area, play park, car park, pavilion and storage buildings.

“The application seeks planning permission for new leisure and recreation facilities, including a cricket pitch, football pitches, a multi sports area, a play park, car park, pavilion building and various storage buildings.”

“The access for the leisure and recreation facilities proposal would be from Mansfield Road which bounds the wider site to the north west. The access road would wrap around the boundary of the Headstocks. To the west of the application site is land for ‘Phase 3’ which would be for employment use. There are currently no applications for this part of the allocation therefore no detail is currently available as to the type of…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The 10.8-hectare site formed part of the historic colliery and lay beside the Grade II listed Headstocks and nature conservation sites.

“The application site covers approximately 10.8 hectares and is located within the urban boundary of Clipstone, as defined on the Policies Map. The site is part of the historic Clipstone Colliery. Most of the buildings associated with the colliery have been demolished however the Headstocks and Powerhouse were listed as Grade II in 2000 and still remain (albeit outside of the site outline).”

“The site is not within a conservation area. The setting of the Grade II listed Headstocks (immediately adjacent to the site) must be taken into consideration in accordance with Section 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Clipstone Colliery Village, a non-designated heritage asset is also located to the north west of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

Permission had been granted for 124 homes on an adjacent part of the wider allocation, while a later housing variation remained under consideration.

“23/00832/FULM (adjacent site and part of the wider allocation) 124 dwellings with open space, landscaping, highways and drainage infrastructure and associated works – Approved at Committee subject to S106 agreement. Decision issued.”

“25/01971/S73M Variation of condition 28 attached to planning permission 23/00832/FULM to substitute the approved plans to amend the housing mix and redesign of the development parcels – Pending consideration.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the allocated site supported the proposal and its economic, social and environmental benefits outweighed heritage and biodiversity harm.

“Although the wider site is allocated as a whole, the site has come forward in phases. The residential development represents Phase 1, this application for sports facilities represents Phase 2, and Phase 3 is yet to come in as an application (although it is expected this will be submitted shortly).”

“Ultimately, there would be a loss of biodiversity value on the site, and due to funding constraints, off-site compensation is not considered feasible. However, it is also considered that the scheme that would bring about significant public benefits, across all three overarching objectives within the NPPF to achieve sustainable development.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, Natural England, flood authorities and environmental health raised no objection subject to conditions, while ecology and conservation officers identified harm requiring assessment.

“NCC Highways: Comments that were received on 19.6.2025 from NCC Highways conclude no objection to the scheme subject to conditions. The comments are included in detail in the Impact on Highways section of the report.”

“NDSC Environmental Health Contamination: The planning statement submitted with this application relies on the Phase 1 Geotechnical and Geo-Environmental Site Investigation (May 2020) & Phase 2 Geotechnical and Geo-Environmental Site Investigation (Jul 2021) reports completed by Eastwood & Partners previously for this application site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the application on behalf of the applicant.

What members debated

Members welcomed the scheme’s community benefits but sought extra pedestrian and cycle access to reduce traffic on the site.

“Members considered the application and were delighted with the proposed scheme, which would turn an eye sore into a fully developed site providing sports development, which would benefit the local community. Members raised concern regarding the pedestrian and cycle access and suggested that additional gates onto the site be provided to encourage pedestrians and cyclists, which would reduce traffic…”

“A Member suggested an amendment to Condition 15, if the Committee were minded to approve the application. The Committee had a short adjournment to enable the Planning Officers to seek legal advice. Following this, it was proposed that an additional condition be inserted to resolve the concerns of the Members in relation to the pedestrian access to the site.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee unanimously agreed to approve planning permission, with amended conditions and an additional northern boundary access condition.

“(a) Planning Permission be approved, subject to the conditions contained within the report and the amendment to the conditions as proposed by Sport England to include the Updated Mitigation Report dated February 2026 in the list of approved plans and documents in condition 2; and delete the wording [or other specified timeframe] from condition 22; and…”

“(b) an additional Condition to read: Prior to first use of development hereby approved, details for an additional provision of access to the Northern boundary shall be submitted to and approved in writing to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) and implemented in accordance with the approved details.”

Minutes