Agenda item

Fort Pitt Ward

Installation of floodlights to the existing 3G sports pitch to allow for all year round use of the facility by both the school and local community groups including amendment to the community usage agreement operating hours from 17:00 to 20:00 on Monday to Fridays, 09:00 to 20:00 on Saturdays and 10:00 to 14:00 on Sundays to 17:00 to 22:00 Monday to Friday during School Term Times and 09:00 to 22:00 Monday to Fridays in School Holidays, 09:00 to 18:00 on Saturday and Sundays.

Discussion:

The Service Manager - Development Management outlined the application in detail for the installation of floodlights to the existing 3G sports pitch to allow for all year round use of the facility by both the school and local community groups including amendment to the community usage agreement operating hours from 17:00 to 20:00 on Monday to Fridays, 09:00 to 20:00 on Saturdays and 10:00 to 14:00 on Sundays to 17:00 to 22:00 Monday to Friday during School Term Times and 09:00 to 22:00 Monday to Fridays in School Holidays, 09:00 to 18:00 on Saturday and Sundays.

The Service Manager - Development Management brought Member’s attention to the supplementary agenda advice sheet which included additional responses from an existing objector and a response from Sport England.

The Service Manager – Development Management confirmed that the proposed hours were similar to other floodlit pitches within Medway, including Star Meadow in Gillingham and Play Football at The Howard School. 

The Committee considered the application noting that there was a big demand for the use of football pitches, especially with the number of girls now playing football.  Medway currently had a lack of recreational football pitches and adding a further all weather floodlit pitch here would help to increase residents’ physical activity and Members welcomed this.

The Service Manager – Development Management clarified that the amended proposals were for the floodlights to be used until 18:00 on Sundays.  He also stated that due to the cost of running floodlights, if no-one was using the pitches the lights would be switched off and he confirmed that an additional condition stating this could be added.

Following a query from a Member, the Chief Planning Officer and Service Manager – Development Management explained that if acoustic barriers were installed it would restrict the adjacent residents open views of the Fields of Fire.

The Service Manager – Development Management confirmed that although Historic England had indicated that the site was located immediately adjacent to Fort Pitt, which was a nationally important scheduled monument, they assessed the harm would be at the lower end of less than substantial harm and this was balanced against public benefits and the use by the wider community.

Following concerns regarding noise and any breaching of the operating hours, the Chief Planning Officer explained that St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School wanted community engagement and to provide community facilities, if there were any issues raised by residents, the Ward Councillors could speak directly to the Head of the School to ensure those issues would be resolved. 

The Service Manager – Development Management confirmed that there would be no light spill near the woodlands which surrounded the pitches and would not affect foraging mammals or bats.

Decision:      

Approved with conditions 1 to 4 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report with an additional condition to be added ensuring floodlights were turned off when not in use.  Final wording to be agreed in consultation with the Chief Planning Officer, Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Opposition Spokespersons.