Agenda item

Application 09/05167/FU - Alterations involving re-grading of site to provide improved playing pitches, installation of multi-use games area, extended existing hard playground area and landscaping at Brodetsky Primary School, Wentworth Avenue, Alwoodley, Leeds 17

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out details of an application for alterations involving re-grading of site to provide improved playing pitches, installation of multi-use games area, extended existing hard playground area and landscaping at Brodetsky Primary School, Wentworth Avenue, Alwoodley, Leeds 17.

 

(Report attached)

Minutes:

  Plans and drawings were displayed at the meeting.  A site visit had taken place earlier in the day which some Members had attended

  The North West Area Planning Manager, Mr Dunlevey, presented the report which sought permission for improvements to playing pitches; installation of multi-use games area; extension to existing playground area and landscaping at Brodetsky Primary School, Wentworth Avenue LS17.  The report had been brought to Panel due to the high level of local concern the proposals had generated

  Members were informed that the proposals would result in the removal of approximately one-third of the existing trees on the site although compensatory landscape planting would be provided to the boundaries; the proposed 5m high metal fence had been deleted from the proposals

  There would be some community use of the playing fields and local concerns had been raised about the impact of increased car parking resulting from this.  Similarly, local concerns relating to flooding had been received.  Members were informed that an existing drain was blocked; that the proposals would resolve this problem; that the land would be drained; the blockage removed and that a maintenance plan would be required as part of any approval.  It was confirmed that a pumping station would not be required to drain the land

  Members were informed that Sport England supported the scheme and highways had raised no objections to the proposals

  Officers reported the receipt of a letter from Councillor Harrand regarding car parking and three further letters of representation from local residents

  Members commented on the following matters;

·  the loss of trees on the site

·  car parking at the school on weekends and whether problems were currently occurring

·  flooding issues; whether conditions could adequately control this and that if approved, that the scheme should not add to any drainage problems

·  the wording of conditions 10 and 11 in relation to drainage and concerns that these did not address the issue of how future blockages would be dealt with

·  condition 14, relating to no external lighting of the pitches, that it should be made clear to the applicants that an application at a later date for floodlights or similar lighting might not be looked at favourably in the interests of residential amenity

·  that the proposals were welcomed as was the work undertaken by the land drainage section

Officers provided the following responses:

·  regarding the removal of trees, that a full landscaping scheme would be required to be submitted and approved

·  relating to car parking at week-ends, that this could increase and that the impact of 60 cars had been considered.  A car parking management plan was to be submitted and whilst the school was looking to use only one car park, it could be required to open both car parks if necessary

·  that the applicant would need to supply a maintenance regime, with this being conditioned

·  that any lighting of the pitches would require planning permission and that a direction could be placed on the application, in view of the concerns raised about this

RESOLVED -  To approve the application subject to the conditions set

out in the submitted report, subject to deleting the reference to the length of drain to be cleaned in condition 11 and to add a direction that any application for the lighting of the pitches would not be looked at favourably

 

  The Chair informed the meeting that this was Mr Dunlevey’s last appearance at Panel as he was to retire on 7th May.  The Chair stated that whilst Mr Dunlevey had only attended Plans Panel East for a short time he had done sterling work and had been a popular Officer.  The Panel wished Mr Dunlevey well in his retirement

 

 

Supporting documents: