Sports hub and allotments at Hogwood Farm, Arborfield, Wokingham

What was proposed

The application sought approval for sports pitches, a pavilion, allotments, parking, play areas, landscaping, highways and drainage infrastructure.

“(2) 242696. Application for approval of Reserved Matters pursuant to Outline Planning Consent O/2014/2179 (as varied by 181194, dated 14/11/2018). The Reserved Matters comprise details of sports pitches, sports pavilion, allotments, car parking and play areas; along with associated landscaping, highways and drainage infrastructure. Details of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale to be considered…”

Officer report

The site and facilities

The reserved matters site covered 7.12 hectares and included a pavilion, two football pitches, allotments, play facilities and parking.

“DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION (242653 & 242696 combined) Site area - (1) Full application (242653): 2.153ha - (2) Reserved Matters (242696): 7.12ha comprised of sports hub (4.275ha), allotments (1.475ha) & public open space (balance of space) COMBINED AREA: 9.27ha…”

“Proposed infrastructure: Single storey sports pavilion (GIA 365 m2) 1x adult grass football pitch 1x adult 3G football pitch Ancillary training pitch / kick-about area Allotments (83 No. plots) Play facilities: 1x LLAP, 1x BMX track, 1x Trim Trail Previous land use (both sites) Agricultural Existing parking spaces (both sites) 0 Proposed parking spaces (residential):”

Officer report

Planning history

The wider site had outline permission for up to 1,500 homes and associated infrastructure, later varied in 2018.

“Reserved Matters application for sports hub & allotments (242696) 20. The Outline Planning Permission for the wider site (then known as Hogwood Farm) was originally granted in January 2017. This established the principle of development together with access for up to 1,500 new dwellings and associated infrastructure, including the southern section of the Nine Mile Ride Extension (NMRE) and the Hogwood spur road. A Minor Material Amendment (s.73 application) was…”

“The Outline Planning Permission was also accompanied by an Infrastructure Delivery Plan and s.106 legal agreement, which together provide for coordinated delivery of the on-site infrastructure necessary to support the development and of a fair share of the SDL-wide infrastructure. Under the terms of the legal agreement, delivery of the sports hub and allotments fall to the Council to deliver on land reserved for this purpose.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative spoke in support and described the proposed pitches, pavilion, play areas, car park and allotment plots.

What members discussed

Members discussed heating, allotment security, guaranteed delivery, settlement separation, infrastructure, parking, biodiversity, drainage and the absence of affordable housing.

“Councillor Akhtar commented that much of the support for the application appeared to be based on the delivery of the community and sports facilities and questioned whether their delivery could be guaranteed. Nick Chancellor responded that were planning permission to be granted, it would be subject to a Section 106 agreement and a modification of the original Section 106 agreement for Finchwood Park.”

“Councillor Andrea summarised that the site would be outside of the area initially marked for potential development but was within the existing Strategic Development Location. Separation would be maintained with Barkham and Finchampstead, and shortfall around infrastructure would be partially mitigated through efficiencies and layout design quality.”

Minutes

The recorded decision

The committee resolved to approve application 242653 subject to conditions, obligations and a possible refusal if the legal agreement was not completed.

“Application 242653: 1) application 242653 be approved subject to conditions and informatives outlined in Appendix 1 of this report and the completion of a section 106 legal agreement between the Council and the applicant for the following Heads of Terms:”

Minutes