Sports court and banners at Motts Field, Chalkstone Way, Haverhill

What was proposed

The applications proposed replacing the games area with a larger sports facility, four floodlights and seven non-illuminated banners.

“Proposal and Additional Background Information 1. Planning permission is sought for a multi-use games area (MUGA) for football, basketball and volleyball. The proposal includes flood lighting, fencing, a footpath link from the highway, spectator area and tree planting. The proposed MUGA will replace an existing MUGA on Motts Field.”

“The proposed MUGA is 20m x 30m, constructed with porous macadam, and the spectator area is 30m x 2m. The perimeter fencing is 3m high, raising to 4m in height and will be moss green in colour. The proposed floodlights are 8m in height and will be located in each of the four corners of the MUGA. Ten new rowan trees will be planted to complement the existing trees along Chalkstone Way.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is an existing games area within Motts Field, near a play area, trees, sports pavilion, football pitches and homes.

“Site details 11. The application site is located within the settlement boundary of Haverhill, to the east of Motts Field, which is adjacent to Chalkstone Way. The site comprises an existing MUGA and to the north is a play area and a tree belt along Stour Brook. To the south is a sports pavilion and to the east is a large field with grass football pitches. The nearest dwellings are on the other side of Chalkstone Way, to the west, on Charrington Close.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

An earlier application for an equipped grassed area with basketball courts and hoops was granted in 1998.

“Reference Proposal Status Decision date E/98/1724/P Regulation 3 Application - Change of use of grassed area to equipped area Application Granted 4 June 1998”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the facility would improve sports provision, while conditions would address amenity, highways, ecology and lighting.

“Conclusion- DC/25/0657/FUL 90. Planning permission is sought for a replacement MUGA which will provide an enhanced sports court for the community and the flood lighting will allow the site to be used in winter months. There is overwhelming support at both a national and local level to provide and enhance sports facilities to help encourage participation in sports activities to improve people’s health and wellbeing.”

“In terms of highways impacts, it is assumed that there will be additional users traveling to Motts Field due to the enhanced facility, however, the number of additional users is not known. It is likely though that those travelling by car will park on nearby roads, as per existing users, and that this will not have a significant, adverse impact on road safety.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council took a neutral position on the games area and had no objection to the banners; consultees generally raised no objection subject to conditions.

“Town Council 15. “The Town Council acknowledged the benefits of the proposal, which would guarantee playtime, prevent competition for space and ensure exclusive court access through advance booking. Additionally, the floodlit, all- weather pitch would also allow for extended evening play. However, concerns were raised regarding the requirement for an app-based booking system which could deter casual players who prefer spontaneous play.”

“Place Services Ecology 18. No objection, subject to conditions to secure implementation and management of the proposed biodiversity net gain, the measures and enhancements set out within the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and a suitable biodiversity lighting design strategy.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Two residents objected that booking requirements and technology could prevent free, spontaneous use, and suggested retaining or relocating the existing games area.

“A resident of Shannon Close objects to the proposal, stating that the existing MUGA is sufficient and benefits from free access without prior booking. It is also suggested that the existing MUGA should be retained and the new MUGA be sited elsewhere on Motts Field.”

“A resident of Hawthorne Way also objects to the proposal because of the requirement to pre-book the MUGA and the consequential loss of spontaneous play. The response also cites concerns regarding the requirement for technology to book the service, which may act as a barrier for some potential users.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative spoke in support and answered questions about the booking system and grant requirements.

Members’ debate

Members discussed Sunday hours, free sessions, booking requirements, another freely accessible games area, and whether costs were material planning matters.

“To clarify matters around operation the Chair invited public speaker [the applicant] (West Suffolk Council – applicant) to respond. Members were advised the use of the ClubSpark booking system, with access via a Smart Gate, was one of the conditions of the grant funding. Therefore, it was his understanding that whilst both ‘free’ and ‘paid for’ sessions would be available via the ClubSpark system it was still necessary for all users to make a booking.”

“Councillor Jon London posed questions in relation to costs and the SLA the Council had entered into with the ClubSpark system but was advised by the Service Manager (Planning) that these were not material planning considerations and were not matters for the Planning Authority to give weight to.”

Minutes

The votes

The planning application was approved with 12 votes in favour, one against and one abstention; the advertisement application was approved unanimously.

“Lighting should be minimised, and glare and sky glow should be prevented by correctly using, locating, aiming and shielding luminaires, in accordance with the Guidance Note. All perimeter fencing for the multi-use games area/playzone hereby approved shall be fixed to the support posts with a neoprene isolator installed to fully isolate the panels from the posts and a maintenance regime shall ensure panels do not become loose so as to reduce the 'rattling' noise associated…”

“…thereafter in accordance with the scheme. Under no circumstances should any other external lighting be installed without prior consent from the local planning authority. All mitigation measures and enhancements and/or works shall be carried out in accordance with the details contained in the Amended Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (Sibbett Ecology Ltd, June 2025) as already submitted with the planning application and agreed in principle with the local…”

Minutes