Sports ground redevelopment at Krooner Park, Krooner Road, Camberley

What was proposed

The scheme would redevelop the sports ground with artificial pitches, floodlighting, refurbished clubhouse buildings, a raised platform, repositioned stands and a larger car park.

“The proposal is to provide enhanced sports and leisure uses. This would include new artificial pitches with floodlighting. The clubhouse building would be refurbished to include a raised viewing platform. The existing stands and ancillary structures would be repositioned. The existing informal parking area would be replaced by the formation of a new car park.”

“The raised open platform would be in front of the existing clubhouse providing a seating area to watch football matches, accessed by two covered staircases. Three green walls to a height of 6.6 metres, would be provided as a part of this structure. A wood-fin detail would be provided around the clubhouse to a height of 5.4 metres above ground level.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The 1.6-hectare site is a football ground beside homes, commercial properties, woodland and a railway, with access from Wilton Road and Krooner Road.

“Residential properties in Krooner Road, a short cul-de-sac accessed from Frimley Road, lies to the east with commercial properties to the north, in Bridge Road, and to the south, in Wilton Road. To the west is Crabtree Park which is heavily wooded in closer proximity to the application site. The Aldershot to Ascot rail line is located to the northwest corner of the application site, with the Watchmoor Park commercial park beyond.”

“The application site includes the clubhouse located on the north side of the site with the football pitch with its access with an informal parking area to the west and north. The main access to the site is from Wilton Road, with a gate located at the southwest corner of the site, with a secondary access from Krooner Road.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

A larger football centre scheme was granted permission in 2015 but was not implemented, while the current proposal reuses existing facilities where possible.

“14/0373 Creation of a football centre to include 1 full size artificial grass pitch, 7 artificial 5-a-side pitched with associated clubhouse, changing rooms and spectator seating (on a larger site of Krooner Park and land at Crabtree Park)”

“Granted in June 2015 but not implemented.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the scheme would support the football club and community, address a shortage of 3G pitches and meet football facility requirements.

“In principle this proposal is acceptable. Enhancing and modernising the facilities on the site would support the existing football club, and the community needs of the borough. There is currently a deficit of 3G pitch provision in the Borough which this proposal would assist in addressing and there are also requirements to upgrade the facilities to comply with Football Association requirements. Sport England supports this proposal.”

“The proposal is acceptable in terms of its impact on local character and residential amenity. Conditions to control operating hours, lighting and acoustic fencing would mitigate impacts, and the Council’s Environmental Health Officers raises no objection. The site is in a sustainable location and the County Highways Authority raise no objection to the proposal’s impact upon highway capacity or safety. Tree loss would be mitigated by a landscaping scheme.”

Officer report

Specialist responses

Highways, Sport England, flood risk, archaeology, trees and environmental health consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while wildlife advice sought lighting and biodiversity controls.

“Local Lead Flood Authority No objections raised, subject to details of a SuDS scheme being provided and verified (by conditions).”

“Environmental Health The lighting scheme offers the best compromise to control lighting spill. It is recommended that the scheme is implemented as proposed with a condition to limit use of floodlighting after 22:00 hours. A Construction Environmental Management Plan, noise management plan and a scheme to deal with any land contamination would be required by condition.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward councillor spoke virtually, and another councillor read a statement supporting the application from two councillors.

Members’ questions

Members questioned how the new floodlighting would affect residents, possible use for other sports and why a similar 2015 application had not been approved.

“Members questioned how the new floodlighting would benefit residents compared to the existing floodlighting, but at the same time how the lighting could affect them.”

“Members questioned why a similar application did not get approved in 2015 and this was not declared.”

Minutes

The vote

The officer recommendation was proposed, seconded and carried, with all listed councillors voting in favour of approval subject to conditions.

“The officer recommendation to approve the application, subject to conditions was proposed by Councillor Helen Whitcroft, seconded by Councillor Valerie White, put to the vote and carried.”

“Voting in favour of the officer recommendation to grant the application subject to conditions was unanimous from Councillors Shaun Garrett, Mary Glauert, Liz Noble, David O’Mahoney, Jonathan Quin, Kevin Thompson, David Whitcroft, Helen Whitcroft, Victoria Wheeler, Valerie White and Richard Wilson.”

Minutes