Proposed creation of a 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with perimeter fencing, acoustic fencing, hardstanding areas, storage container, floodlights, an access footpath and associated bund.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee (Councillor Fowler) reminded Members that Councillors Placey and Sudra had not been present at the time the application had first been before the Committee in May 2024 and that therefore they would not participate in the discussions and decision-making, but they would stay in the room.

Members were also reminded that the proposal was for the erection of an Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) on land that formed part of the existing playing pitch within the grounds of Tendring Technology College and that this application was before the Planning Committee following a call-in request by Councillor Turner, who had raised concerns that the development would result in a negative impact on the scene, and was of a poor layout and would result in a negative impact to neighbours.

Members were reminded that the application had been initially put before the Planning Committee at its meeting held on 14 May 2024, when Officers had concluded that the wider public benefits of the proposed development outweighed the overall identified areas of harm, namely the impacts to neighbouring amenities through noise and light pollution and had therefore recommended, on a fine balance, that the application be approved.

At that meeting the Committee had decided to defer the application and had requested that additional information/actions be provided/undertaken as follows:-

-       Applicant to provide a Bat Survey Report;

-       The Council’s Environmental Protection team to undertake a review of the Noise Impact Assessment provided by local residents;

-       Applicant to demonstrate whether it would be possible to provide for an amended layout/re-orientated 3G pitch that would result in reduced harm; and

-       Submission of a Construction Method Statement to ensure that any construction would be mindful of the school children’s presence on site.

Following that deferral, the applicant’s agent had subsequently provided a Bat Survey which had been confirmed to be acceptable by ECC Place Services (Ecology) subject to conditions, and this Council’s Environmental Protection team had commented on the Noise Impact Assessment to confirm that they had considered both the applicant’s and the local residents’ Noise Impact Assessments fully, and had concluded that their earlier “no objection” comments remain unchanged. They had, however, suggested that the applicant’s Noise Impact Assessment be updated to include additional information, which had since been undertaken. The Council’s Environmental Protection team had confirmed that they were satisfied with the predicted noise levels and the evidence of compliance with relevant guidance, and therefore had had no adverse comments subject to the measures outlined within the Assessment being implemented.

Officers reminded Members that, in addition, the agent for the applicant had clarified that a Construction Method Statement had been submitted alongside the original application submission, and the Council’s Environmental Protection team had previously confirmed that they were satisfied with the contents and had no adverse comments to make (in comments dated 14 September 2023).

An additional drawing had also been provided to outline alternative layouts for the 3G pitch alongside the wider site. Three options were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34