Sports pavilion and storage facilities at Woodlands, Castor, Peterborough

What was proposed

The application proposed a sports pavilion, storage facilities, associated infrastructure, a 40-space car park and cycle and electric vehicle facilities.

“Proposal: Development of a sports pavilion, storage facilities and associated infrastructure…”

“Permission is sought for the development of a sports pavilion and storage facilities. The sports pavilion would be located centrally within the existing sports field and will incorporate a number a changing rooms, a small kitchen and a multi-purpose sports hall.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is an existing sports field outside Castor’s village envelope, with football and cricket pitches, temporary facilities, nearby care uses and housing.

“The application site is a parcel of land within the existing sports field on the edge of Castor, accessed via Splash Lane and the shared road leading to the adjacent care home. The site and the surrounding land forming the sports pitches is an area of informal parkland and amenity open space.”

“The entirety of the existing sports facilities is located outside of the village envelope of Castor and within the Nene Valley area. The site includes football and cricket pitch provision, which are maintained and managed by the Nene Valley Trust. There are also temporary changing facilities, tennis courts and a bowling green to the north-east.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered assisted living units, a care home and associated parking, while a further assisted living redevelopment application remained pending.

“18/01634/R4FUL Change of use from D2 Sports Centre to C2 use, comprising 24 assisted living units and ancillary Community Hub, the erection of a 68 bedroom care home with 12 close care units at second floor and associated parking and landscaping Permitted 29/11/2018 19/01317/WCPP Variation of condition C23 (drawings) and removal of conditions C14 (site security), C15 (Construction Management Plan), C17 (secure cycle parking) and C21 (Travel Plan) of planning permission…”

“Withdrawn by Applicant 01/11/2019 19/01507/FUL Change of use from D2 Sports Centre to C2 use, comprising 24 assisted living units and ancillary Community Hub, the erection of a 68 bedroom care home with 6 staff apartments at second floor and associated parking and landscaping- resubmission Permitted 09/04/2020 20/00627/WCPP Variation of condition C2 (fire hydrants) and C25 (drawings) and removal of condition C3 (mains foul sewage) and C9 (lighting) of planning permission…”

Officer report

Objections and support

Supporters cited improved changing facilities and space for clubs; objectors raised concerns about amenity, sport provision, traffic, parking, ecology, heritage and drainage.

“Support • Should the Tennis Club move to Woodlands, we will need changing and toilet facilities, which will be provided in the pavilion. • A Pavillion will only provide reasonable facilities for changing and after play. • The site already has permission as a sports centre. • Will provide much needed space for sport clubs that use the site.”

“Access, Traffic and Parking • Traffic will cause disturbance, noise, air pollution and risk to walkers. • Insufficient electric vehicle charging points. • There are inaccuracies in the original transport assessment, such as footpath locations, bus services are no longer running. • The increase in vehicular trips is excessive and will cause a safety risk for users. Splash Lane is unsuitable for large volumes of vehicles, with no footpath and narrow carriageway.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Saqib Farooq objected, citing harm to the village and Nene Valley, poor accessibility, transport concerns and weaknesses in heritage and biodiversity matters.

The committee decision

The committee unanimously granted permission subject to relevant conditions and Secretary of State consultation, finding limited harm outweighed by the sporting benefits.

“The Committee considered the report and representations. A motion was proposed and seconded to GRANT the application. The Committee RESOLVED unanimously to GRANT the planning permission subject to relevant conditions delegated to officers and consultation with the Secretary of State.”

“Subject to the imposition of the conditions, the proposal was acceptable. Having reviewed all material considerations, such as the history, proposed development plans, local and national policies and consultation responses, the officer’s assessment against paragraph 104 (c) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) reached the conclusion that the test has been passed.”

Minutes