Agenda item

Demolition of existing park ranger's facility and replacement with single-storey building containing sports changing room facilities, park ranger's accommodation, multi-purpose community room, public toilets and sports equipment storage; resurfacing of existing tarmac basketball area and erection of fenced multi-use games area (MUGA), to include floodlighting; addition of further two tennis courts adjacent to existing tennis courts, to include floodlighting.

 

9.1  The Planning Officer introduced the report, as set out in the agenda.  He informed the Sub-Committee that the people that had objected to the 3 previously refused applications had not been consulted this time round.  However they had consulted residents within a 650m radius.

 

9.2  The Planning Officer stated that in response to the Chair’s query regarding fencing, the applicant confirmed that the MUGA shall be endorsed by welded wire fencing to a general height of three metres, increasing to four metres for the areas behind the goal face, in accordance with Sports England guidelines.  The fencing would be finished in a green coating and the tennis courts would feature chain link fencing to a general height of 2.75 metres, also finished in a green coating.

 

9.3  The Principal Solicitor stated that this was not considered to be an issue and the Planning Officer confirmed that their issues had now been resolved.

 

9.4  Alan Maddox and Daniel Gordon spoke in objection to the scheme, their comments are summarised as follows:

 

§  Generally in favour of the scheme and the enhancement of education facilities in the area and recognise the work that has been undertaken in submitting the application.

§  The main issue is concerning the consultation process.

§  Local residents wish to be informed of management, maintenance and budget issues.

§  The consultation that was promised for the summer did not happen and the other consultation session finished early.

§  Believe that there are a number of inconsistencies in the report.

§  Request that the application be deferred to allow for better consultation.

§  Concern was raised over the two additional tennis courts, when the existing ones were perfectly adequate.

§  Loss of green space.

§  Wish to know how many children will be using the tennis courts.

 

9.5  Nicola Baker (Assistant Director Community Services) and Rob Martell spoke in support of the scheme, their comments are summarised as follows:

 

§  A number of significant changes had been made as a result of the consultation process, including the provision of public toilets.

§  She issued an apology as the consultation closed early due to staff sickness on that day.

§  This was a partnership between Hackney Council and the Learning Trust, with funding provided by a lottery grant.

§  A total of 3 new tennis courts are proposed, in order to encourage tennis coaching, especially as they would be located within an Olympic borough.

§  The design is sympathetic to the area and also sustainable.

§  The courts will primarily be used by schools, with public use outside of school hours and during holiday periods.

 

9.6  Councillor Buitekant raised the issue of demand and whether there was a need for the 3 additional tennis courts, as the park would lose valuable green space.  Nicola Baker responded by stating that the Council and the Learning Trust had liaised with the Hackney City Lawn Tennis Club who had identified that there was a large demand for coaching facilities in the area.

 

9.6  Councillor Webb referred to the flood lighting, as the report specified that it would operate until 4pm.  She believed that it would be more appropriate for it to operate between 2pm and 8pm everyday and also on bank holidays.  Nicola Baker indicated that she would not have an objection to the proposed changes.  The Chair asked that condition 9 be amended to reflect this proposal.  This was AGREED.

 

9.7  Discussion took place regarding the proposed pattern of use for the facilities and Nicola Baker stated that MossbourneAcademy would be given priority during school booking hours, however she did not know the exact requirements at present.  She added that two other schools, namely StormontHouse School and Brook School would also be able to use the facilities and that all of the schools and any groups would need to book the facilities in advance.

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(Councillor Buitekant voted against the recommendation).

 

 

1.  SCB0 – Development in accordance with plans

The development hereby permitted shall only be carried out and completed strictly in accordance with the submitted plans hereby approved and any subsequent approval of details.

 

REASON: To ensure that the development hereby permitted is carried out in full accordance with the plans hereby approved.

 

2.  SCB1 – Commencement within three years

The development hereby permitted must be begun not later than three years after the date of this permission.

 

REASON: In order to comply with the provisions of Section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended.

 

3.  SCM6 – Materials to be approved

Details, including samples, of all materials to be used on the external surfaces of the building, fences, and ground surfaces shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority, in writing, before work on the external surfaces, boundary walls and ground surfaces commences on site. The development shall not be carried out otherwise than in accordance with the details thus approved.

 

REASON: To ensure that the external appearance of the building is satisfactory and does not detract from the character and visual amenity of the area.

 

4.  SCM9 – No extraneous pipework

No soil stacks, soil vent pipes, flues, ductwork or any other pipework shall be fixed to the elevations of the building other than as shown on the drawings hereby approved.

 

REASON: To ensure that the external appearance of the building is satisfactory and does not detract from the character and visual amenity of the area.

 

5.  SCI3 – No roof plant

No plant (including all external enclosures, machinery and other installations) shall be placed upon or attached to the roof or other external surfaces of the building other than as shown on the drawings hereby approved.

 

REASON: To ensure that the external appearance of the building is satisfactory and does not detract from the character and visual amenity of the area.

 

6.  SCH10 – Secure bicycle parking

Space shall be made available for the secure parking of thirty bicycles, in accordance with the plans hereby approved, before the first occupation of the development.

 

REASON: To ensure that a reasonable provision is made within the site for the parking of bicycles in the interest of relieving congestion in surrounding streets and improving highway conditions in general.

 

7.  NSC1 – Non-standard condition

The existing oak tree situated at the location of the two new tennis courts (as per drawing 0802_101) shall be removed and replanted, or alternatively a new semi-mature oak tree of similar height planted, no further than five metres to the east of the existing oak tree’s current location before the end of the existing planting season, with details to be submitted to the local planning authority and approved in writing before use of the tennis courts hereby approved first commences.

 

REASON: To safeguard the green character of the park.

 

8.  NSC2 – Non-standard condition

The tennis-court floodlighting hereby permitted shall be installed adjacent to, and project light in the direction of, the two new tennis courts hereby approved only, and not the two existing tennis courts.

 

REASON: In the interests of protecting the amenity of adjoining occupiers from light disturbance.

 

9.  NSC3 – Non-standard condition

  The tennis-court floodlighting hereby permitted shall not be used outside the hours of 14.00 to 20.00 on Mondays to Fridays, 14.00 to 16.00 on Saturdays and at no time on Sundays or public holidays.

 

REASON: In the interests of protecting the amenity of adjoining occupiers from light disturbance.

 

10.  NSC4 – Non-standard condition

A management plan for the new MUGA, resurfaced basketball court and two new tennis courts, setting out proposed patterns of use by school pupils, and how access and use by the wider community shall be safeguarded and managed, shall be submitted to the local planning authority and approved in writing before use of any of the facilities hereby approved first commences.

 

REASON:  In the interests of safeguarding public access to, and community use of, the facilities hereby approved.

 

REASONS FOR APPROVAL

 

1.  The following policies contained in the Hackney Unitary Development Plan (1995) are relevant to the approved development/use and were considered by this Council in reaching the decision to grant planning permission: EQ1 – Development Requirements; OS3 – Loss of Open Spaces and Parks; OS4 – Protection of Character of Open Spaces and Parks; OS5 – Development Affecting Open Spaces and Parks.

 

2.  The following policies in the London Plan (Consolidated with Alterations since 2004) are relevant to the approved development/use and were considered by this Council in reaching the decision to grant planning permission: 3D.8 – Realising the value of open space and green infrastructure; 3D.6 – The Olympic and Paralympic Games and sports facilities.

 

INFORMATIVES

 

The following Informatives should be added:

 

SI.1   Building Control

SI.3   Sanitary, Ventilation and Drainage Arrangements

SI.6   Control of Pollution (Clean Air, Noise, etc.)

    SI.25   Disabled Person’s Provisions

SI.27   Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

SI.28   Refuse Storage and Disposal Arrangements

SI.33   Landscaping

 

NSI.1  All materials submitted pursuant to the discharge of condition 3 of this approval ['materials to be approved', as per paragraph 8.1.3 of this report] should be supplied and delivered at the same time in a container clearly marked with the address of the application site, reference to the application number 2008/2870, and accompanied by coloured copies of relevant elevational drawings, to which each material sample should be clearly referenced and labelled accordingly. Full specifications detailing each material's manufacturer and colour (as per manufacturer's description/name thereof) should also be submitted at the same time.

 

NSI.2  The applicant is required to consult the Planning Inspectorate regarding the proposed development prior to the commencement of any work in implementing this planning permission, as the park is classified as registered common land.