S/086/01714/23: View the Plans and documents online, please click on the Application Number.  (Please note: If viewing as a pdf document, this hyperlink is not available).

Applicant:                          Horncastle Education Trust, Ms S James

Location:                           Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, West Street, Horncastle, LN9 5AD

Recommendation:              Approval with Conditions

Officer:                              Sam Hallett

Application Type:         Full Planning Permission

Proposal:                     Planning Permission - Creation of a 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with perimeter fencing, acoustic fencing, hardstanding areas, storage container, floodlights, access footpath and

associated bund.

Location:                      QUEEN ELIZABETHS GRAMMAR SCHOOL, WEST STREET, HORNCASTLE, LN9 5AD

Applicant:                    Horncastle Education Trust

Members received an application for Full Planning Permission – Creation of

a 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with perimeter fencing, acoustic fencing,

hardstanding areas, storage container, floodlights, access footpath and

associated bund at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, West Street, Horncastle, LN9 5AD.

The application was subject to considerable local interest and was also subject to a Committee call-in request by Councillor Sandra Campbell-Wardman and Councillor Richard Avison as local Ward Members.

The main planning issues were considered to be:

• Principle of development

•         Impact on the character and appearance of the area

• Impact on residential amenity
• Impact on the highway network
• Flood risk and surface water drainage
• Other matters (Archaeology, Ecology, &

Contamination)

Members were referred to the additional information contained on page 1 of the Supplementary Agenda.  

Andrew Booth, Development Management Lead Officer, detailed site and surroundings information to Members at Paragraph 2, together with the description of the proposal at Paragraph 3, pages 17 to 18 of the report refer.

Mrs Sandra James (Applicant) and Mr Tom Betts (Developer) spoke in support of the application.

Mr Stephen Pickwell spoke in objection to the application.

Councillor Richard Avison spoke as Ward Member.

Members were invited to put their questions to the speakers.

-      Several queries were raised with regards to the fencing between the proposed pitch and the neighbouring properties and whether security and noise would be an issue.  Councillor Avison highlighted that security at nighttime was a major concern as there would be no security or school staff on site at this time.  

-      A query as to whether the location of the new pitch could be changed was also raised.  Mrs James advised that following a number of site visits and consideration being given to the school day, the school’s facilities and the safety of pupils, the proposed location was the best option.

-      Members were advised that the pitch would be open until 6pm on weekends and potentially 9pm on weekdays to accommodate use by the community. 

-      Councillor Avison considered that a site visit would be beneficial as the photos did not provide a good representation of the proposal.

Following which, the application was opened for debate. 

-      A Member queried what mitigation measures had been put in place for the new housing development that was yet to be built with regards to access.   The Development Management Lead Officer advised Members that he was content with the proposed access and explained that the bund would wrap around the three sides and there would also be boundary treatments. 

-      A Member proposed a site visit in order to get more clarity on the proximity of the proposed site to the residential properties, in particular relating to the size of the proposed area and the opening hours which included weekends and evenings. 

Following which, it was seconded that a site visit be carried out to assist Members with their decision making.

Upon being put to the vote, the vote was carried.

Vote:            12 In favour          0 Against               0 Abstention 

RESOLVED:

That a site visit be arranged.

The Chairman advised Members that only those who attended the site visit would be able to debate and vote on the item at the next Meeting

N.B. Councillor Daniel McNally left the Meeting at 11:20am and returned at 11:22am.