Contact: Neil Chester, ext 6496 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought to amend the timing of the permitted use of the synthetic turf pitch (Application F22879/011 granted 11 September 2003) on Saturdays and to raise the fencing of the southern boundary in welded mesh to match existing, from the current 2.7 metre height either side of the goal to a consistent 3.9 metres along the entire boundary at Amery Hill School, Amery Hill, Alton. There is concern that proposal will adversely impact upon local amenity. The recommendation is that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.

2. Site

2.1 Amery Hill School is located to the north of Alton town centre and is accessed from Church Street via Amery Hill. It is a comprehensive school with 1,000 pupils from both the town and the rural area to the south and west.

2.2 The eastern end of the school site is bounded by the Old Odiham Road. There is residential development on the northern (Greenfields Avenue), western (Netherfield Close), and southern boundaries (Steeple Drive/The Cloisters). The south-western part of the site adjoins a grassed area running down to the River Wey.

3. Proposal

3.1 In September 2003 planning permission was granted for a new Synthetic Turf Pitch (STP) at Amery Hill School, Alton (Application No. F22879/011). Condition 2 of the permission stated:

"The artificial pitch hereby permitted shall be used only between the hours of 0900 and 1800 Monday to Friday, 0900 and 1300 on Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays. In addition the facility may be used between the hours of 0900 and 1800 on up to 14 Saturdays per calendar year.

Reason: In the interests of the amenity of neighbouring residents."

3.2 The facility enabled Alton Hockey Club to play their homes games in Alton for the first time in a number of seasons. The pitch was used for all home games each Saturday between September 2004 and Easter 2005. The permitted allocation of 14 Saturdays per calendar year has been reached.

3.3 The proposal is to vary the permitted times of use to enable use of the pitch each Saturday between 0900 and 1600 from September to April. The STP will not be used at all during the summer months (May to August) except in exceptional circumstances. The use of the pitch between Monday and Friday will be unchanged from the existing permitted hours.

3.4 Currently, the fence is 2.7 metres high rising to 3.9 metres behind the goal. It is proposed to raise the fence at the southern end of the STP (adjacent to The Cloisters) to form a consistent fence height of 3.9 metres. The existing laurel shrub planting will be encouraged to grow to screen the fencing.

3.5 It is also proposed to fit noise attenuation shock pad material to the face of the boards at the base of the fence at each end of the pitch to reduce the noise when balls strike the backboards.

4. Development Plan

4.1 Hampshire County Structure Plan Review, 1996-2011, policies R1 (Recreation, Sport and Tourism) and UB3 (Design, Scale and Layout) are relevant.

4.2 East Hampshire District Local Plan: First Review, policies GS1 (General Strategy), GS5 (Development Criteria), RT1 (Recreation and Tourism - General Principles), RT5 (Recreation, Leisure and Cultural Facilities) are relevant.

5. Consultations

5.1 The local Member, Councillor Ludlow, has been informed of the proposal.

5.2 Alton Town Council raises no objection to the proposal but suggests that the increased use of the facility on Saturdays be reviewed after 12 months.

5.3 East Hampshire District Council has not responded to the consultation.

5.4 Sport England supports the proposal.

5.5 The Highways Adviser raises no objection to the proposal.

5.6 The Environmental Health Officer (EHO) (East Hampshire District Council) raises no objections to the proposal subject to a condition requiring the noise attenuation shock pad material to be fitted to the backboards prior to the change in the times of use of the facility. However, the EHO does express some reservations regarding the use of the pitch outside of normal school hours as an increase in the use of the pitch could lead to an uncontrollable change in the noise characteristic of a residential area. The EHO has not received any complaints since the STP has been in operation.

6. Representations

6.1 There have been 11 letters of support for the proposal and four letters of objection. The support for the proposal is subject to the fence being raised and noise attenuating material being installed prior to the change in the times that the STP will be used. In addition, it is requested that no further applications for lighting are submitted. The reasons for objection are:

(i) the proposal is for financial gain and therefore introduces a commercial enterprise into a residential area;

(ii) the proposal represents the "thin end of the wedge" that will inevitably result in further extensions to the use of the facility which will pose additional environmental hazards to local residents;

(iii) the current proposal will result in residents of Greenfields Avenue being subjected to increased noise from users of the pitch shouting, whistling and using bad language. In addition, it would result in further vandalism and anti-social behaviour impacting on the amenity of local residents; and

(iv) the proposal is excessive and permission should only be for twice a month or to have shorter period (eg from October to March). If permission is granted it should be reviewed after one year.

8. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

8.1 The proposed changes will, inevitably, result in a more extensive use of the STP.

8.2 There is concern from a local resident that the proposal will result in increased noise and anti-social behaviour from users of the STP. However, there have been no complaints about the limited Saturday use that already takes place and the EHO raises no objection in principle to the proposal. Moreover, the proposal represents a compromise between increasing the use of the STP by the local community and addressing residents' concerns about noise, disturbance and anti-social behaviour. Indeed, the proposal to increase the height of the fence will provide better protection from `stray' balls and the installation of noise attenuation shock pads will reduce any noise generated from the STP.

8.3 Regrettably, there has been some anti-social behaviour, including vandalism, occurring on the school grounds and neighbouring properties. However, this is not directly linked to the permitted use of the STP, but a `management' issue that the school is committed to working with local residents to address.

8.4 The support of local residents is conditional on raising the fence height and installing the noise attenuation shock pads prior to implementing the proposed changes to the hours of use. The EHO also recommends the same pre-conditions. This matter can be controlled by planning condition.

8.5 There is concern that the proposal is intensifying a commercial enterprise. Although community groups may be charged for the use of the pitch this does not undermine its essential educational and community nature - the STP is not considered a commercial use.

8.6 There is some local concern that the proposal represents the `thin end of the wedge' for further changes. Although this concern is noted it is not an issue under current consideration. The request from some local residents and the Parish Council to review the hours of use after 12 months is noted. However, there are no justifiable planning reasons to limit permission to a temporary period.

8.7 On balance, it is considered that the proposed amendments to the existing STP at Amery Hill School would not result in an unacceptable adverse impact on local amenity, subject to changes noted above.

Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of amendment to detail relating to synthetic turf pitch (Application No. F22879/011 granted 11 September 2003) to raise the fencing of the southern boundary in welded mesh to match existing, from the current 2.7 metre height either side of the goal to a consistent 3.9 metres along the entire boundary and to request an amendment to the timing of permitted use on Saturdays at Amery Hill School, Amery Hill, Alton (F22879/012/REG3) be granted for the following reason, subject to the following conditions:

Reason for Approval

It is considered that the proposal would be in accordance with the development plan (summary attached) and would not materially harm the character of the area or the amenity of local residents and would be acceptable in terms of highway safety and convenience.

Conditions

Time Limit

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

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

(2) The artificial pitch permitted by Permission No. F22879/011 shall be used only between the hours of 0900 and 1800 Monday to Friday, and 0900 and 1600 on Saturdays between 1 September and 31 March, and not at all on Sundays. The facility shall not be used on Saturdays between 1 April and 31 August unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of the amenity of neighbouring residents.

(3) Prior to the revised hours hereby permitted being implemented, the fence on the southern boundary shall be increased in height to a consistant 3.9 metres and noise attenutation shock boards shall be fitted to the fencing in accordance with Drawing No. P4089/LA/202 Rev J.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

523/NC

Annexe to Reasons for Conditions

(as required by Article 22 of the Town and Country Planning

(General Procedure) Order 1995 - as amended)

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Hampshire County Structure Plan (Review) 2000

Policy R1

In built-up areas, development which improves or extends the range of tourist, recreational, sporting or social facilities will be permitted subject to the requirements of the transport and environment policies of the Plan. Permission will not be granted for any development which would result in the loss of either recreational and sporting facilities or open space for which there is a need, unless alternative provision is made of at least equivalent value (in terms of quality, quantity and accessibility).

Policy UB3

All development permitted in accordance with other policies of this Plan should be appropriate in design, scale, layout and density to its surroundings, and contribute to the quality of the built environment.