Parish hall and play facilities at Playing Field, Crompton Road, Bilsthorpe

The site and surroundings

The site is part of a grassed playing field with play equipment, near existing sports facilities, housing and a public right of way.

“This application is being referred to the Planning Committee for determination as in the opinion of the Authorised Officer, it would be prudent to refer the application to Planning Committee for decision. The Site 1.1 The application site comprises of an ‘L’ shaped piece of land measuring approx. 0.5 hectares in area.”

“The application site is currently laid to grass and contains several pieces of children’s play equipment. To the immediate south of the application site, within the wider playing field, is a skate park and a basketball court, to the east is an area with fixed exercise equipment, with the remainder of the playing fields comprising of open grassland, with an informal football pitch to the south.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier applications included permissions for community centres, public open space and a play area, while two resource-centre applications were withdrawn.

“In terms of site constraints, the site is located within Flood Zone 1 and in an area at a low mining risk and within the 5km buffer area for the Natural England ppSPA for nightjar and woodlark. Relevant Planning History 2.1. 06/00744/FUL – Erect new community centre and change of use of land to public open space – Application Permitted 18.09.2006.”

Officer report

Main planning effects

Officers considered the design, residential amenity, highways, flooding, trees, ecology and biodiversity acceptable subject to conditions.

“In terms of fixed external plant, there are currently no details of the plant at this stage, however given the residential nature of the immediate area, it is considered reasonable and necessary to limit the noise levels from such installations so as not to exceed the current background noise levels. This could be controlled by a suitably worded condition. 7.31.”

“With regards to the use of the MUGA, this is predicted to be within acceptable noise levels, subject to an appropriate acoustic barrier being fitted. The scheme includes the provision of a 3m high acoustic timber fence to the MUGA, and a condition will be attached to any approval requiring the acoustic fencing (and the green ball stop mesh fencing) to be installed before the MUGA is brought into use, and retained as such thereafter. 7.33.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, Sport England, the Coal Authority, Environmental Health and Ecology raised no objections subject to specified measures or conditions.

“Consultations and Representations Please Note: Comments below are provided in summary - for comments in full please see the online planning file. Statutory Consultations 6.1. Nottinghamshire County Council (Highways) – Do no object.”

“Sport England – No objections. The proposed development results in a minor encroachment onto the playing field. However, having considered the nature of the playing field, and its ability to accommodate pitches, it is not considered that the development would reduce the sporting capability of the site. The proposal is considered to accord with exception 3 of Sport England’s Playing Fields Policy and paragraph 104 of the NPPF. The Coal Authority – No objections.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor R Holloway, a Bilsthorpe Parish Councillor and District Ward Member, spoke in support of the application.

Members’ discussion

Members welcomed the development and discussed whether the pedestrian condition should require a footpath or allow a wider improvement scheme.

“Members considered the application and welcomed the proposed development. Comment was made in relation to the consultation response from Nottinghamshire County Council (Highways) and the request for a distinct and segregated route for pedestrians to the site from Crompton Road (Condition 12). In response, Officers advised that it would be for Members to consider whether such a condition would be reasonable and necessary to make the proposal acceptable.”

Minutes