3G artificial grass pitch at Kings School, Romsey Road, Winchester

The site and surroundings

The pitch would occupy grass north of the school buildings, beside tennis courts, existing pitches, homes, a golf club and Sarum Road.

“Kings School is located within the city of Winchester. The main entrance to the school is located from Romsey Road via Kings Road with a secondary access from Sarum Road. The proposed site for the artificial pitch is located to the north of the main school buildings on an existing area of grass. To the east of the site there are existing tennis courts and the land slopes down to more grass pitches and an existing artificial pitch.”

“On the other side of Sarum Road, to the north of the site is Royal Winchester Golf Club, to the west are the residential dwellings on Sarum View, to the south is an existing school building with residential dwellings on Woodfield Drive beyond this.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

An earlier application for community facilities, tennis courts, an all-weather training court and extra parking received no objection in 1996.

“Planning application made for the existing artificial pitch - 96/03375/OLD - Provision of community accommodation and facilities with service road and including 6 no. tennis courts, all weather training court and additional car parking No objection was raised 1st August 1996.”

Officer report

What people said

Eighty-one representations objected over noise, light, traffic, ecology and amenity, while 306 supported the facility’s community and health benefits.

“Objecting Representations received from different addresses and 3 with no addresses citing the following material planning reasons: • Impact from noise • Impact from light • Impact on highways • Increase in traffic • Ecological impact • Contrary to planning policy • Impact to horse riders from additional traffic • Impact on residential amenities • 10 end time is too late in this residential area • Environmental impact • There are no footpaths on parts of Sarum Road making…”

“Supporting Representations received from different addresses and 4 with no address and 25 from outside of Winchester District citing the following material planning reasons:. • The facility is needed • Promotes good health • There is a shortage of all weather pitches in Winchester • Can restrict times of use • Much needed community facility • Good for physical and mental health…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two people spoke against the application, and the applicant spoke in support and answered members’ questions.

Members’ discussion

Members considered the site selection process, visited the site, and received legal advice about funding, consultees and material considerations.

“The application was introduced. Members were referred to the update sheet which provided additional information regarding policy considerations and the site selection process which was set out in full on the update sheet but could be summarised as follows:”

“The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application. During discussion on the item, the committee received advice from the Legal Adviser, regarding matters relating to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding and associated CIL issues. Clarification was also provided regarding the role of statutory consultees and the appropriate legal weight to be applied to their representations and other material considerations in the determination of the application.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee granted permission with the reported conditions and informatives, adding a formal parking management plan to address local traffic and parking impacts.

“That the committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report and the update sheet, and subject to an additional condition requiring a formal parking management plan to manage traffic and parking impacts on the local road network.”

Minutes