113 homes and sports pitches at Milestone Ground, Childswickham Road, Broadway

What was proposed

The application proposed 113 homes, replacement sports pitches including a 3G pitch, a clubhouse, access, open space and landscaping.

“Proposal: Demolition of existing clubhouse and redevelopment of 113 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), and replacement sports pitches (including 3G sports pitch) and clubhouse, including new vehicular access, public open space, landscaping and other associated infrastructure.”

Officer report

The site and facilities

The existing pitches are private land, with no usable clubhouse, while the proposed facilities would be managed and maintained by the football club.

“Condition 25 requires a community use agreement to ser out availability of the facilities for community use. At this time, we cannot say how many hours will be available for community use, times or if there will be any cost as this is a matter that will be dealt with by the Football Club. But whatever that Agreement provides for will be a betterment on the current situation.”

“The existing pitches are owned by the Football Club and whilst they are ‘open’ and people can access them, they are technically private land not for community use. There is also no useable clubhouse currently available. The proposed new pitches, club house and facilities will improve current provisions, but will still be for priority use of the Football Club and will allow for their continued growth and ongoing expansion.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission subject to a legal agreement, conditions, delegated amendments and satisfactory wildlife details.

“The agent has accepted a mix of 9 x Shared Ownership and 5 x DMS following correspondence with the Council’s housing team, but state that this will have a financial impact on the land value. Your Officers consider that the proposed mix for intermediate provision is a reasonable solution and can be secured with a S106 agreement.”

“The further comments from the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT) are noted. Your Officers advise that the recommendation is amended to grant planning permission subject to a satisfactory response being received from the WWT in respect of details required by Conditions 8, 9 and 10.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Housing officers supported a mix of shared ownership and discount market homes, while wildlife and contamination consultees sought conditions.

“Housing – have affordability concerns for the intermediate provision (14 units) to be provided all as Discount Market Sales (DMS) as this is a high value area. There are likely to be people who are unable to join the Housing Register due to earnings but would not be able to afford the deposit required to secure a DMS property.”

“Worcestershire Wildlife Trust – we are prepared to accept the proposal with a condition of planning approval provided we are able to input into the condition discharge process.”

Officer report

Comments received

A local surgery said its concerns had been adequately addressed, while the applicant said new facilities would improve current provision.

“Comments – we have read your report and consider our concerns have been adequately addressed by the applicant. At the point the application wishes to discharge the conditions, we would be pleased to meet again.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The parish council clerk spoke against approval, and a supporter spoke in favour; a site visit had taken place.

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to grant permission subject to a legal agreement, conditions, wildlife confirmation and changes to sports, biodiversity, construction and open-space arrangements.

“To delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Infrastructure to grant planning permission subject to the following conditions and the completion of a S106 legal agreement to secure the obligations and planning conditions listed in the committee report and the update report and below, allowing for any subsequent amendments to the obligations and planning conditions as required by the Director of Planning and Infrastructure and in consultation with Sport England as…”

Minutes