Two football stands at Everett Rovers FC, Dodd Road, Watford

What was proposed

The application proposed two 50-seat steel stands inside the existing fenced artificial grass football pitch.

“Application for the erection of two 50-seater stands within the boundary of an existing fenced-in artificial grass football pitch. Everett Rovers FC's first team have been promoted to Step 6 of the National League System (NLS). To meet the FA's National Ground Grading requirements, this requires the proposed spectators seating to be installed to increase spectator capacity.”

“The stands would be 3.23m in height, and 9.46m wide, and a depth of 2.27m. The structure would be formed from steel; the flooring would be 4mm durbar steel in black. The seat frames would be steel with polypropylene seats.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The football club occupies a 4-hectare site with pitches, a clubhouse and parking beside a school, woodland and housing.

“The application site comprises Everett Rovers FC, a well-established football club within the Leggatts Ward. The site is 4.0 hectares, which includes multi- sized football pitches, clubhouse and associated parking. The main access to the site is from North Western Avenue and cars enter whilst travelling northbound, with Dodd Road servicing the club.”

“The site has 70 parking spaces available for use by its members and floodlight provision.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier permissions covered a new clubhouse and sports changing facilities, and a community 3G football turf pitch.

“App Number Proposal Status Decision date 15/01685/FUL New Clubhouse and sports changing facilities CPP 14.01.2016”

“22/00583/FUL Creation of a Community 3G Football Turf Pitch FTP 8380 sq. metres with associated features (see details) CPP 27.07.2022”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the stands an enhancement that would meet football ground requirements without affecting pitches, neighbours, parking or highways.

“(a) Principle of development The current use of the site is as an established outdoor sports facility; Use Class F.2, and this remains unaltered as a result of this proposal. The addition of two 50 seater stands within the boundary of an existing fenced-in artificial grass football pitch represents an enhancement of the existing facilities on site. The stands allow the club to meet the FA's National Ground Grading requirements providing sporting and public benefits.”

“(d) Highways and parking impacts The introduction of two 50 seater stands will not increase the previously consented capacity of the site but provides ancillary facilities supporting the existing use and capacity. The site currently has a private car park with a capacity of 70 cars and 2 minibuses and a 5 year Active Travel Plan that was approved under the previous consent to reduce car journeys to the site by at least 20%. These parking arrangements are unchanged.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Sport England raised no objection, highways required a construction management plan, and environmental health had no comments.

“Construction Management Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA. Sport England Sport England raises no objection to this application as it is considered to meet exception 2 of our Playing Fields Policy and Paragraph 104 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). No conditions are requested on this occasion. Agreed…”

“Name of Internal Consultee Comment Response BNG consultee De minimis exception applies Agreed Environmental Health No comments Agreed…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer introduced the proposal, and Councillor Asif Khan spoke as ward councillor in support.

Members’ discussion

Members welcomed the application, noted the club’s success and the lack of highways concerns, and supported seating for those who needed it.

“The Chair thanked Councillor Khan for his comprehensive comments. The Chair noted some residents had concerns. He invited the committee to make comments or ask the officer questions.”

“Members welcomed the application and acknowledged the success of the football club which should be celebrated. They noted that there had been no concerns raised by Highways. The stand provided seating for those that required it.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee voted on the officer’s recommendation, with three votes recorded before approval.

“The Chair invited the committee to vote on the officer’s recommendation set out in the report.”

“On being put to the committee the application was approved.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions covering the time limit, approved drawings and a construction management plan.

“That, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed below:”

“No development shall commence until a Construction Management Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter the construction of the development shall only be carried out in accordance with the approved Plan: The Construction Management Plan shall include details of:”

Minutes