Enclosed MUGA pitch at Bleak Hill Primary School, Windle, St Helens

What was proposed

The application proposed a 40m by 24m enclosed multi-use games area for pupils’ curriculum and after-school activities.

“The proposal seeks to install a multi-use games area (MUGA) on an existing area of playing space situated to the north-west of the site and adjacent to Bleak Hill Road. The MUGA would be used exclusively by pupils at the school for curriculum and after school activities during the hours of 08:30–17:30 between Monday to Friday (not including bank holidays).”

Officer report

The site

Bleak Hill Primary School occupies about 8.5 hectares with buildings, sports pitches, playgrounds and parking, near residential properties and Windle Brook.

“This application relates to Bleak Hill Primary School in Windle. The school site is an irregular shape of approximately 8.5 hectares; it contains a single storey school building in the centre of the site with sports pitches, the playground and car parking facilities surrounding the building. The existing school building was constructed approximately 20 years ago with more recent extensions.”

“Entrances to the school are located off Bleak Hill Road, Hamilton Road and Fairway. Vehicle access leading to a car parking area is located off Hamilton Road. Windle Brook is located to the southern boundary of the site. The eastern boundary of the site is also partially bound by residential dwellings along with the additional entrance from Fairway.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal acceptable in principle, suitably designed, distant enough from homes, and capable of achieving biodiversity net gain.

“The proposed MUGA would lead to a degree of loss of habitat. MEAS assessed the proposal and commented that the submitted Biodiversity Gain report (Tyrer Ecological Consultants Ltd, February 2025), Defra metric (Tyrer Ecological Consultants Ltd, [name withheld], 24 February 2025) show that the development is capable of achieving 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. The baseline date is confirmed as 10/01/2025.”

“The principle of development is considered acceptable enhancing the open space and facilities for the school. The design and appearance of the MUGA is acceptable and the proposal is for equipment that is typically found in school fields. The nearest residential properties are far enough away, such that the MUGA is not considered to cause any visual or residential amenity issues.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The tree, ecology and biodiversity consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while Sport England gave no detailed response.

“The Tree’s and Woodland’s Officer (20.03.2025) - no objections, subject to the addition of suitable planning conditions relating to tree protections measures.”

“Planning Committee 24/06/2025 P/2025/0154/FP3 3.4 Sport England (05.06.2025) – have advised that the proposed development does not fall within either their statutory remit or non-statutory remit and so no detailed response was given.”

Officer report

What residents said

The application received no representations after neighbour notification letters and a site notice.

“The application was publicised by way of neighbour notification letters and a site notice expiring on the 03/04/2025, but no representations were received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The council’s building surveyor and maintenance agent read a statement from the school’s head teacher.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions covering implementation, plans, use hours, trees, ecology, hedgehogs and landscaping.

“Grant Planning Permission Subject to the following conditions:”

“A Landscaping Planting Management Plan (LPMP) scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development. The LPMP scheme shall include specific reference to how habitats would be managed in order to meet the desired BNG conditions and should include direct reference to what condition assessment criteria management targets.”

Minutes

Voting

Councillors Bowden, Dickinson, Collier and Laird abstained because they were members of the Standards Committee.

“During consideration of the following item Councillors Bowden, Dickinson, Collier and Laird declared that they would be abstaining from voting on the item due to them being members of the Standards Committee.”

Minutes