Contact: Peter Chadwick, ext 6728

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for the development of part of the former sand and gravel workings at Chandlers Farm, Fox Lane, Eversley for sports fields and match fishery, together with associated clubhouses and car parking. These uses would be developed following infilling as part of the restoration of the workings. The recommendation is to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

2. Site and Proposals

2.1 The site, illustrated on the attached plan, comprises an area of 19.45 hectares within the former sand and gravel workings at Chandlers Farm. Planning permission for the quarry was granted in 1982; this part of the site has been worked out but not yet restored. The original restoration was to a single large lake. This was subsequently amended, through the revised conditions submitted under the Environment Act Review of Mineral Permissions last year, to allow for infilling to reinstate part of the site to dry land. The infilling has been approved and will take about five years to complete. The planning application is to use this area for sports pitches, and develop an adjoining area for match fishery.

2.2 The proposal for the sports pitches is to create one cricket pitch, two senior football pitches, five junior football pitches of various sizes and to build changing facilities and provide car parks. Access would be from the current quarry access off Fox Lane. The proposals do not include floodlighting. The site would be leased by the Eversley Sports Association, which comprises Eversley Cricket Club, Eversley Football Club, California Football Club (currently based in Finchampstead) and Eversley Parish Council.

2.3 The proposed match fishery would be run by RMC Angling and is intended to provide a facility for competition match angling. The match fishery would comprise a series of channels which would be a consistent width of 16 metres, including marginal shelf planting. The uniform cross-section allows anglers to compete on equal terms with each other. Water would be pumped into the channel system from the restored lake to the south, and allowed to flow back into the lake after circulating through the system. The channels would be constructed following the infilling of the site. In addition to organised competitive use, the fishery would be open to the public on a day-ticket basis. There would be no overnight fishing. A clubhouse would provide toilet and refreshment facilities, and a room for angling tuition. Car parks would be provided. Access would be from the current quarry access road off Fox Lane.

2.4 The infilling of the site is proposed to commence later this year and will take about five years to complete. The tipping would start by creating a bund around the lake, and proceed to complete the area for the sports pitches, followed by the area for the match fishery.

2.5 RMC comments that the proposals provide the opportunity to add to the wide range of recreational activities that have been developed at Eversley Quarry in the last ten years. These include a nine hole golf course, Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve, a water sports centre and the Devereux Park (cricket and football pitches).

3. Development Plan

3.1 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan Policy 14 concerns restoration (see attached appendix).

3.2 The site is within a local gap as defined in the Hart District Replacement Local Plan.

4. Consultations

4.1 The County Surveyor (Highways) comments that the principle of restoration to recreational uses is accepted. On matters of detail the car parking provision is in accordance with County Council car parking standards and access arrangements are adequate. Further information has been provided relating to disabled and cycle parking and alternative modes of transport and should be formalised into a Travel Plan for the site.

4.2 The Environment Agency raises no objection, subject to conditions concerning flood prevention and safeguarding adjacent water courses.

4.3 Hart District Council's Environmental Health Officer - no comments received.

4.4 Blackwater Valley Countryside Services supports the application as it meets the requirements of the Blackwater Valley Strategy.

4.5 Wokingham District Council raises no objection, subject to no floodlighting and access by vehicles being from Fox Lane only.

4.6 Eversley Parish Council has no objection and comments that a running track should be included. Traffic in Fox Lane could be significant and times of traffic should be restricted. The Council also wishes for a dedicated cycle lane between Eversley and Yateley.

4.7 Yateley Town Council welcomes the provision of further sports pitches in the area, which is an appropriate use of reclaimed mineral workings. It should provide maximum public access, being adjacent to urban population. No objection in principle to the match fishery, an innovative scheme designed for maximum economic return. Fits into the valley environment and nature conservation issues are being taken into account.

4.8 Councillors Glen and Collett have been informed of the application.

4.9 Sport England welcomes and supports the application which is providing substantial new sports facilities.

4.10 A letter has been received from the Sports and Recreation Centre Development Committee on behalf of members of the community which supports the development of additional sports facilities in Eversley Parish.

4.11 Two letters of objection have been received from residents of Fox Lane on the grounds that there is no need for additional cricket and football pitches for residents of Eversley, and the viability of the proposals is questioned. Furthermore they comment that the match fishery is not a facility for local residents and the increased use of Fox Lane by the public will cause noise and disturbance to local residents. Access should be via the existing cricket club and not along Fox Lane.

5. District Council's Views

5.1 Hart District Council raises no objection.

6. County Planning Officer's Comments

6.1 The restoration of the site to a mixture of dry land and lakes by partially infilling the former sand and gravel pit was approved last year. The current application details the proposed use of part of the site for sports pitches and the construction of a match fishery facility.

6.2 It is considered that there is a need for these sports pitches to provide facilities for local sports clubs. Whilst the match fishery is clearly a commercial facility, it would provide a local facility for anglers on a day-ticket basis.

6.3 The location of the sports pitches on the edge of Eversley, adjoining the existing cricket ground, is an appropriate location. The proposals are in accordance with policies for recreational uses in the Blackwater Valley and complement the facilities provided on the restored mineral workings to the east of the site. It is considered that the access arrangements via the existing quarry access and Fox Lane are appropriate. Whilst the uses are likely to increase the number of cars using Fox Lane, it is not considered that the use of the sports pitches and match fishery would cause unacceptable noise and disturbance to residents of Fox Lane.

6.4 In conclusion, it is considered that the proposals are in accordance with policy and would provide local facilities, as well as a specialist match fishery which would draw anglers from a wider area.

Recommendation

That the use of part of the site as sports fields and match fishery, including the erection of associated club houses, car parking and access, at Chandlers Farm, Fox Lane, Eversley (Application No. 01/01332/CMA) be approved, subject to the following conditions:

Timescale

(1) The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of five years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Travel Plan

(2) Prior to the sports fields and match fishery being used a Travel Plan for the site shall be submitted to the Mineral Planning Authority for approval in writing. The Travel Plan shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: To secure sustainable travel.

Lighting

(3) There shall be no floodlighting of the sports fields or the match fishery.

Reason: In the interest of local amenity.

Time Limit

(4) The use of the playing fields, match fishery and ancillary facilities shall be restricted to the hours of 0730 to 1930.

Reason: In the interest of local amenity.

Flood Protection

(5) No building or raising of ground levels shall take place on that part of the site lying within the area of land liable to flooding. Any walls or fencing constructed within or around the site shall be designed to be permeable to flood water.

Reason: To prevent obstruction to the flow and storage of flood water, with a consequent increased risk of flooding.

Watercourses

(6) A buffer zone eight metres wide alongside the Blackwater shall be established and kept free of development. A buffer zone five metres wide alongside the Firgrove stream shall be established and kept free of development.

Reason: To maintain the character of the watercourse and provide undisturbed refuges for wildlife using the river corridor.

Construction Materials

(7) Prior to construction details of the external construction materials, finishes and colours of the proposed buildings shall be submitted to the Mineral Planning Authority for approval in writing. The details shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: In the interest of local amenity.

Landscaping

(8) Within six months of the date of this consent a programme for the proposed landscaping shall be submitted for the approval of the Mineral Planning Authority and implemented as approved. Any trees or shrubs which within a period of five years from the date of planting die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species.

Reason: In the interest of local amenity.

6990/PDC

HAMPSHIRE, PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTHAMPTON MINERALS AND WASTE LOCAL PLAN (ADOPTED 17 DECEMBER 1998)

Policy 14

The Mineral and Waste Planning Authorities will grant planning permission for minerals or waste development provided they are satisfied that:

(i) adequate provision has been made for the satisfactory restoration and aftercare of the site to the highest practicable standard so as to be suitable for the agreed beneficial after-use when the operation or use of the site has ceased or the facility has reached the end of its life, which after-use should normally be agriculture, woodland, heathland or other nature conservation or amenity use; and

(ii) in the case of mineral working and waste disposal by landfilling or landraising, the land will be progressively restored within the shortest practicable timescale such that the rate of restoration is as far as practicable commensurate with the rate of extraction and/or disposal and the land will be subject to appropriate aftercare to ensure that it is restored to a condition satisfactory for the agreed after-use of the site; and

(iii) the restoration and aftercare provisions can be ensured by means of conditions attached to the planning permission or through a planning obligation or other appropriate legal agreement.

Examples of subjects of planning obligations and agreements are cited in Appendix 5.