Community football space at K-Park Training Academy Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride

“Description of Proposed Development 3.1. Planning permission is sought for the erection of a two-storey Community Football Space building incorporating changing facilities, fitness suite, cafe, function rooms and meeting rooms (Sui Generis) with associated parking and landscaping.”

“The ground floor of the proposed building would provide a café/reception, offices, sports hall, fitness suite, physio and therapy suites, changing facilities, community function hall and community kitchen.”

“Site Description 2.1. The application site is within Calderglen Country Park, Strathaven Road, East Kilbride and within the green belt as designated in the adopted South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2 (SLLDP2).”

“The application site boundary extends from the access to the park at the A726 Strathaven Road, along Calderglen Park Road which is a private road, and encompasses the northern and western areas of the existing K-Park training academy. The northern section is currently used as two five-a-side training pitches and the western section as informal overspill parking. The application site includes boundary fencing and a gated access.”

“Relevant Planning History 4.1. Planning permission EK/09/0368 for the provision of sports facilities comprising football pitch, changing pavilion, spectator seating and facilities, 2 no. five a side training pitches, 60m sprint track, car parking and associated landscaping was granted in 2009 and completed in 2013.”

“Planning permission EK/11/0058 for an extension to the building was granted in 2011. In 2014, a detached indoor sports facility on the site of the car park was approved under EK/14/0022 but never developed. A further application for a detached spectator stand was approved under EK/14/0283 and subsequently erected.”

“Representations 7.1. Following the statutory period of neighbour notification and advertisement, 15 letters of objection and 1 letter of support (from Joani Reid MP) have been received. The points raised can be summarised as follows:-”

“Objections:- • Insufficient access and parking • Increased traffic congestion • Impact on pedestrian safety • Inappropriate location for development • Impact on existing users of the park • Impact on biodiversity and wildlife • Loss of ancient trees and woodland • Increase in pollution/emissions • Conflict with the Calderglen Country Park Masterplan • Increased noise and disturbance for adjacent residents • Proposed building out of scale for location…”

“There followed a discussion on the application during which an officer responded to a member’s question on aspects of the report.”

“The Committee decided: that planning application P/25/1261 by The East Kilbride Community Trust for the erection of a 2-storey community football space building incorporating changing facilities, fitness suite, café, function rooms and meeting rooms (sui generis) with associated parking and landscaping at K-Park Training Academy, Calderglen Country Park, Strathaven Road, East Kilbride be granted:-”

“on the grounds that the facility would enhance the health and wellbeing aspects of Calderglen Country Park in terms of Policy 21 – Play, Recreation and Sport of National Planning Framework 4 • subject to the following condition:-”

“The development to which this permission relates shall be begun no later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of grant of the decision notice.”