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Agenda item

19/10245/VAR - Dauntsey's School, High Street, West Lavington, SN10 4HE

Variation of condition 2 of planning permission K/42974 (change of use from agricultural land to use of playing fields and outdoor sports facilities) to allow for different surface material for outdoor sports track, with proposed landscaping to reduce visual impact (resubmission of refused application ref 18/11759/VAR).

 

Minutes:

Public Participation

Mr Stephen Herniman, spoke in objection to the application.

Mr William Blumsom, spoke in support of the application.

Mr Mark Lascelles – Headmaster, Dauntsey’s School spoke in support of the application.

Ms Cat White – Agent, spoke in support of the application.

 

Morgan Jones, Senior Planning Officer, presented a report which recommended that planning permission be granted with conditions for the variation of condition 2 of planning permission K/42974 (change of use from agricultural land to use of playing fields and outdoor sports facilities) to allow for different surface material for outdoor sports track, with proposed landscaping to reduce visual impact (resubmission of refused application ref 18/11759/VAR).

 

The officer explained that this was a retrospective application. Unfortunately, there had been a misinterpretation of the original planning permission and a synthetic surface was used for the running track. This was red and was surrounded by a white fence. The application was a resubmission of refused application 18/11759/VAR, which was considered at committee in April 2019 and was refused due to the adverse impact it caused on the appearance and character of the area.

 

Maps and plans of the track were shown to members of the committee during the meeting. The application sought to address the previous reasons for refusal. It proposed a series of mitigation measures to reduce the impact of the development on the landscape. Plans of the proposed landscape mitigation were also shown during the meeting. Although these plans would not screen the track in its entirety the Wiltshire Council Landscape Officer had no objections. It was also proposed that the surrounding fence be painted grey as from a distance this would help it blend in to the landscape.

 

Photos of the track were shown during the meeting. From the same level the track and fence were hard to see. On byways at higher levels and from Strawberry Hill the track and fence could be seen, although it should be seen in context as part of the school and was set against the backdrop of the school and surrounding village. 

 

The West Lavington Neighbourhood Plan supports the expansion or alteration of educational facilities or community facilities at Dauntsey’s School but also seeks to ensure new development respected local character and is designed to integrate well with its surroundings.

 

The athletics track would be a valuable facility to the School and wider community and would contribute towards one of the aims of both national and local planning policy which was to enable and support healthy lifestyles through the provision of safe and accessible green infrastructure and sports facilities.

 

On balance the officers recommend that the application be approved with conditions.

 

Members of the committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. In response the officer stated that the photo shown of the track was a real photograph, not a computer-generated image. The officer explained that the wider community benefit of allowing the public to use the track was not part of a formal agreement as part of the application or approval. It was stated that if the school wished to provide lighting for the track this would be subject to a new planning application.

 

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views, as detailed above.

 

Cllr Mark Connolly proposed a motion to follow the officer’s recommendation to approve the application with conditions, this was seconded by Cllr James Sheppard.

 

A debate followed where the following issues were discussed.

 

Some councillors thought that the school had addressed some of the concerns and reasons for refusal, although it would take time for the proposed landscaping to grow. It was stated in the application that when the track came to the end of its life and was renewed the school may change the colour of the track, this was welcomed. The track was of benefit to the community and should be considered an asset. Therefore, they felt able to support the application.

 

Others stated that Dauntsey’s School had not represented themselves well at the last committee meeting. They were grateful to the headmaster for coming, speaking and apologising on this occasion. However, they were still anxious about the planting. The track record of the school had not been good in that regard. A plan to mitigate the appearance of the development subject to the original planning application to change the use of the land from agriculture to recreation had been developed years ago but had not been implemented. Therefore, it was suggested that an informative be added to the conditions requesting that the school provided progress reports to Wiltshire Council and West Lavington Parish Council on the progress of the mitigation measures. The planning officer was asked whether this would be possible. In response it was stated that the conditions already specified that the planting be implemented within a timescale, but it would be possible to add the informative requested.

 

Some councillors felt that the gap in the differences of opinion had narrowed but that the fence seemed to be a sticking point. It was asked whether the fence was necessary. The officer explained that Sport England would prefer the fence to remain in place in order to keep spectators and athletes safe.

 

In response to another question regarding the details of what was to be planted, including the numbers and size of the trees, it was stated that a detailed landscaping plan had been submitted as part of the application which contained the requested details and officers had been happy with the plan.

 

It was proposed that the current motion be amended to include an informative to the school to provide reports to Wiltshire Council and to liaise with West Lavington Parish Council on the possibility of further planting which was offered by the Headmaster during the meeting.

 

It was;

 

Resolved:

 

That the motion be amended to include an informative as suggested.   

 

At the conclusion of the debate it was;

 

Resolved:

 

That planning permission be granted with conditions, as per the officer recommendation, with the addition of an informative to the applicant to provide reports to Wiltshire Council and West Lavington Parish Council on the progress of the mitigation planting.

 

1. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

·       Drawing no. 1 001 Issue A (Mercers Field Proposed Site Location Plan), received 07.11.19;

·       Drawing ref. Figure 4 (Revised landscape strategy with additional detailed planting proposals), received 07.11.19;

·       Drawing no. 1743 2710 Issue C (Proposed Planting Plan), received 07.02.19 (originally under application 18/11759/VAR);

·       Document no. 1743-2960 Rev A (Tree & Planting Schedules), received 07.02.19 (originally under application 18/11759/VAR);

·       Drawing no. MCA-MUK1801-01 Rev E (Setting Out as Built), received 18.11.19;

·       Drawing no. MCA-MUK1801-02 Rev D (Setting Out as Built), received 18.11.19;

·       Drawing no. MCA-MUK1801-04 Rev D (Drainage Layout as Built), received 07.11.19;

·       Drawing no. MCA-MUK1801-05 Rev D (Cross Section and Track Construction as Built), received 18.11.19;

·       Drawing no. MCA-MUK1801-15 Rev D (Setting Layout as Built), received 18.11.19;

·       Drawing no. MCA-MUK1801-16 Rev D (Location Plan as Built), received 18.11.19;

·       Drawing no. MCA-MUK1801-18 Rev D (Fence Layout as Built), received 18.11.19;

·       Drawing title. Crowd barrier with half mesh, received 07.11.19;

·       Drawing no.DAUNT09-OA (Proposed Sportsfield - Section Detail), approved under application K/42974;

·       Drawing no.DAUNT09-OB (Proposed Sportsfield - Section Detail), approved under application K/42974.

 

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

 

2. Within three months of the planning permission hereby granted a colour sample panel of the paint to be applied to the perimeter fence shall be provided on site, inspected and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The fence shall thereafter be painted with the approved colour within one month of the date of the approval or in accordance with a timeframe to be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

 

REASON: The matter is required to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority in order that the development is undertaken in an acceptable manner, in the interests of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the area.

 

3. All soft landscaping comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the date of this planning permission. All shrubs, trees and hedge planting shall be maintained free from weeds and shall be protected from damage by vermin and stock. Any trees or plants which, within a period of five years, die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

 

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

 

NOTE: The approved landscaping scheme involves the planting originally proposed on drawing no. 1743 2710 Issue C (Proposed Planting Plan) and the additional planting shown on Drawing ref. Figure 4 (Revised landscape strategy with additional detailed planting proposals) listed above in condition 1.

 

4. Within three months of the planning permission hereby granted a landscape

management plan, including long-term design objectives, management responsibilities and maintenance schedules for new trees and shrubs approved as part of the landscape scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The landscape management plan shall be carried out as approved in accordance with the approved details.

 

REASON: The matter is required to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority before development commences in order that the development is undertaken in an acceptable manner, to ensure the proper management of the landscaped areas in the interests of visual amenity.

 

5. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (or any Order revoking or re-enacting or amending that Order with or without modification), no gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure, other than those shown on the approved plans, shall be erected or placed anywhere on the site.

 

REASON: In the interests of visual amenity.

 

6. The regarding of the site shall only be carried out in accordance with the details shown on drawing DAUNT09-OA and DAUNT09-OB, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

 

REASON: In the interests of the visual amenity of this edge of the village site.

 

7.  The material, colour and treatment of the athletics track hereby permitted shall not be altered or replaced until full details or any proposed works have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

 

REASON: In order to agree a suitable replacement track treatment and colour when the track reaches the end of its existing life and requires replacing in the interest of landscape character and visual amenity.

 

INFORMATIVE TO APPLICANT:

The applicant is requested to notify the Local Planning Authority when the approved soft landscaping scheme required by condition 3 has been planted, and to discuss possible further planting with the Parish Council which was offered by the Head Master during the Eastern Area Planning Committee meeting. 

 

Supporting documents: