Extended sports hall hours at Wallington County Grammar School, Wallington

Earlier permissions

The sports hall was built in 2008, with later permissions allowing public evening use and five weekday evenings from 2019.

“The planning history for the school is extensive, dating from 1967. The following is the most relevant planning history relating to the sports hall, including its construction in 2008 and subsequent applications to extend the hours of use (including for the public) of the sports hall.”

“Planning application reference: 12/66337/FUL for “Use of sports hall for letting to the public two evenings a week in addition to use by pupils and staff of the school, variation of condition 6 of 08/60133/FUL” was granted 2nd October 2013 (for a temporary period of 1 year).”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered that shared facilities would benefit the community, while staff supervision and parking management would avoid unacceptable neighbour or highway impacts.

“The co-location of the site and sharing of facilities maximises the use of the premises to meet the needs of the local community, developing the potential for improved social, education, childcare and sporting facilities, which is supported by regional and local policy, and the proposal is therefore acceptable in principle in land use terms.”

“The Car Park Management Plan demonstrates that there would be sufficient car parking spaces on site to accommodate the increased use of the school’s sports facilities, and there would be no parking overspill on to the surrounding road network to the detriment of the wider area, and the proposal would not cause harm in terms of highway and pedestrian safety.”

Officer report

Objections and consultations

Seventeen objections concerned parking and dangerous roadside parking, while Environmental Health, Highways and Transport for London raised no objections.

“Material Issues of Objection Raised Response Highways Will result in parking on the surrounding roads The council’s Highway Officer has raised no objections to the Car Park Management Plan. It is considered that the 42 car parking spaces available on site are sufficient to accommodate the proposed public use of the school’s sports facilities (which is restricted to 40 people at any one time).”

“Environmental Health No objections. Highways No objections subject to compliance with the Car Park Management Plan. Report Page 5”

Officer report

What speakers said

Councillor Barry Lewis described residents’ concerns about parking, traffic and noise; the applicant’s representative cited capacity, supervision and community benefits.

Members’ discussion

Members weighed community sports benefits against parking overspill and residents’ disruption, noting that much traffic was linked to school pick-ups and drop-offs.

“The committee debated the proposal to extend the sports hall's operating hours. Arguments in favour included the school's ability to generate income and provide a valuable community resource, especially given the challenge of finding available sporting facilities in the borough. It was also noted that it is a controlled leisure activity and that 10pm is not an excessively late closing time for such a facility.”

“Concerns were raised about potential parking overspill onto nearby roads, and members expressed sympathy for residents already experiencing significant disruption. However it was noted that this was mainly linked to school pick up and drop offs, where the volume of traffic is significantly different.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted nine in favour and one against the officers’ recommendation to grant permission.

“A poll vote on the officers’ recommendation to grant permission was held in accordance with Standing Order 31.4.”

“APPLICATION NO. DM2025/00390, Wallington County Grammar School, Croydon Road, Wallington SM6 7PH (Committee Report) A poll vote on the officers’ recommendation was held in accordance with Standing Order 31.4, when there voted. Councillor Jayne McCoy For Councillor Sam Cumber For Councillor Trish Fivey For Councillor Sam Martin Against Councillor Eric Allen For Councillor Tony Shields For…”

Minutes