Agenda item

Consideration was given to planning application 23/1622/LA St Michaels Catholic Academy, Beamish Road Billingham.

 

The application related to St Michaels Catholic Academy, which was a secondary school located on Beamish Road within the defined development limits of Billingham, and approximately 1km north east of Billingham Town Centre.

 

The application was seeking planning permission for the construction of an all-weather sports pitch which would feature an associated hardstanding area, floodlighting and a 4.5 metre high perimeter fence. The all-weather pitch would be located to the south west of the existing school buildings on an existing playing field.

 

The consultees that had been notified and the comments that had been received were detailed within the main report.

 

Neighbours were notified and the comments received were detailed within the main report.

 

The planning policies and material planning considerations that were relevant to the consideration of the application were contained within the main report.

 

The Planning Officers report concluded that the application be approved with Conditions for the reasons as specified within the main report.

 

Objectors attended the meeting and were given the opportunity to make representation. Theor comments could be summarised as follows:

 

. A local resident whose property backed on to the proposed site raised concerns relating to the proposed flood lights shining into his children’s bedroom.

 

. Concerns were raised relating to current drainage issues from the new school, and that the proposed development could exacerbate that.

 

. Parking issues were highlighted particularly around school drop off and pick up time

 

. The proposed development should be moved behind the school

 

. Light pollution would impact everyone on Beamish Road

 

. There were other similar sites which had the facilities to offer after school evening sports in Billingham

 

Officers were given the opportunity to respond to comments/issues raised. Their responses could be summarised as follows: -

 

. In terms of the floodlights, there had been time restrictions on the lighting conditioned, which was appropriate for its use as the facility was a school only facility, not a community facility, otherwise an alternative scheme would have been looked at.

 

Members were given the opportunity to ask questions / make comments. These could be summarised as follows: -

 

. In terms of light pollution, similar concerns were raised from local residents when Stockton Football Club made improvements / alterations to their facilities. Once residents’ concerns were understood, the club agreed to move the lights and resolved residents issues.

 

. Clarity was sought regards the separation distance from the rear of the houses to the proposed football pitch

 

. Parking was a real issue in the area

 

. Residents of Billingham required reassurance that enforcement would uphold the lighting time restrictions

 

Officers were given the opportunity to respond to comments/issues raised. Their responses could be summarised as follows: -

 

. The distance from the rear of the houses to the football pitch was in excess of 70 metres

 

. In terms of concerns around light pollution, there was shielding in place planned, therefore if readjustments were needed to be made then this could be achieved and the School were aware of that

 

. If the school were in breach of lighting restrictions, they would be spoken to and should that not be acted on enforcement would follow

 

. Members were advised that the use of the pitch was for the school and associated school uses only, not a community use, resolving concerns about traffic impact and hours of use with regards to flood lights.

 

A vote took place and the application was approved 

 

RESOLVED that planning application 23/1622/LA be approved subject to the following conditions and informatives;

 

Time Limit

01

The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of Three years from the date of this permission.

 

Approved Plans

02 The development hereby approved shall be in accordance with the following approved plan(s);                                   

 

Plan Reference Number                             Date Received

NSSMCAA009 REV F                              26 October 2023

NSSMCAA006                                             25 August 2023

HLS5906                                                       30 August 2023

NSSMCAA005                                             30 August 2023

E01                                                                 25 August 2023

NSSMCAA007                                             25 August 2023

NSSMCAA003                                             25 August 2023

NSSMCAA004                                             25 August 2023

 

Floodlighting

02

The floodlighting shall be restricted to the hours of 08:00-19:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00-16:00Hrs Sunday and they shall be angled away from any residential premises to prevent light disturbances.

 

Surface Water Drainage

04 The development hereby approved shall not be commenced on site, until a scheme for 'the implementation, maintenance and management of a Sustainable Surface Water Drainage Scheme has first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall be implemented and thereafter managed and maintained in accordance with the approved details, the scheme shall include but not be restricted to providing the following details:

 

- Detailed design of the surface water management system

 

Construction Management Plan

05 Within each phase, no development shall take place, until a Construction Management Plan has been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning authority. The Construction Management Plan shall provide details of:

 

- the site construction access(es)

 

- the parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors;

 

- loading and unloading of plant and materials including any restrictions on delivery times;

 

- storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development;

 

- the erection and maintenance of security hoarding including decorative displays and facilities for public viewing,

 

- measures to be taken, including but not limited to wheel washing facilities and the use of mechanical road sweepers operating at regular intervals or as and when necessary, to avoid the deposit of mud, grit and dirt on the public highway by vehicles travelling to and from the site;

 

- measures to control and monitor the emission of dust and dirt during construction;

 

- a Site Waste Management Plan;

 

- details of the HGVs routing including any measures necessary to minimise the impact on other road users;

 

- measures to protect existing footpaths and verges; and

- a means of communication with local residents.

 

The approved Construction Management Plan shall be adhered to throughout the construction period.

 

INFORMATIVE OF REASON FOR PLANNING APPROVAL

Informative: Working Practices

The Local Planning Authority found the submitted details satisfactory subject to the imposition of appropriate planning conditions and has worked in a positive and proactive manner in dealing with the planning application.

 

Informative: Surface Water

The surface water discharge rate from this development must not exceed 5 l/s.