Design and Access Statement Proposed Extension to Pennine Sailing Club Proposed Extension to Pennine Sailing Club Design and Access Statement
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Design and Access Statement Proposed Extension to Pennine Sailing Club proposed extension to pennine sailing club Design and Access Statement Introduction Introduction This statement provides additional information in support of the planning application for the proposed extension to the club facilities at Pennine Sailing Club, Dunford Bridge, and Barnsley. The overall purpose of the scheme is to improve the club facilities through a modest extension to the existing building to respond to increased use of the sailing club. Planning Policy The following planning policies and guidance notes have been considered in the preparation of this application. Conservation and Development Practice Note Protected Species and Developments in the Peak District National Park. A completed Peak District National Park Protected Species Form accompanies this planning application. After studying the advice and Pennine criteria it is considered that an Ecology Survey is not required. Sailing Club Peak District National Park Adopted Structure Plan - General Strategic Policy GS1. the proposed scheme is not incompatible with this policy as the site is designated as suitable for Recreational use (Zone 2) and the proposal are modest. Peak District National Park Adopted Structure Plan – Conservation Policy 2 C2. Although the scheme lies outside the confines of a town and village, the proposal is modest and is necessary for the sustained development of a recreational facility and is therefore compatable with policy C2. Peak District National Park Adopted Structure Plan - Recreation and Tourism Policy RT1 Although the site is situated in an area designated as ‘Natural Zone’ the sailing club site and Winscar Reservoir are designates as ‘Recreational Zone 2’ and therefore has to respond Policy LR1. Zone 2 considers ‘.... modest scale recreation and tourism developments may be appropriate’ The proposed scheme is modest in scale in that it is a small extension to an existing quiet recreational facility and its character location and setting will have a minimal but acceptable impact on the character of the area and the adjoining ‘Natural Zone’ from which it is visible screened. Location Plan 2 proposed extension to pennine sailing club Design and Access Statement Use The Existing Situation Pennine Sailing Club is situated on the south western shore of Winscar Reservoir, Dunford Bridge, Barnsley. The club has used this Proposed site reservoir as a sailing facility since 1990 with the permanent sailing facility being opened by HRH Princess Royal in October 1993 (see planning approval NP/B1090/4) This consisted of a club house building containing changing rooms and a small amenity area, an area to store dinghies, landscaping and site roads and associated structures. The facility is used solely for dinghy sailing and windsurfing, with motorized craft limited to rescue boats. The activity is essentially quiet. In addition Winscar Reservoir is well used by recreational walkers, and cyclists. View of Winscar Reservoir from Dunford Bridge Since 1990 the sailing club has continued to provide a recreational facility to the north Sheffield, Barnsley, Huddersfield region and has gained a regional and national reputation as an excellent sailing facility. The club has gained status, as a Volvo RYA Champion Club (http://www.rya.org.uk/AboutRYA/programmesinitiatives/ championclubs/), a RYA (Royal Yachting Association) training facility, a sailing centre for both the University of Sheffield and Hallam University, and has hosted both regional and national sailing events. The sailing facility is used throughout the year both at weekends and during the summer period, during the week. Existing Club House Existing Club House Existing Club House and Site 3 proposed extension to pennine sailing club Design and Access Statement Justification Justification for Planning Permission In 2002 we were approached by the Huddersfield Sea Cadet Corps, Perhaps our most significant success in recent years was being and they now have group membership of the club, running their own asked to host the Streaker Class National Championship in 2004. The Pennine Sailing Club has been established at Winscar Reservoir, sailing and windsurfing sessions on Saturdays and some weekdays championship attracted over 50 boats, a record for the class, and was Dunford Bridge, since 1992. through the season. blessed with good weather, - fortunate as we could not get everyone inside to eat at the same time. The event was so successful that the Originally founded in 1960, the club sailed at Underbank Reservoir Also in 2002 we extended group membership to Sheffield University Streaker Class requested us to hold their championship again in 2005, until the completion of the Langsett treatment plant. Low summer Sailing Club who sail on Wednesdays and some weekends. They and we will host if for the third time in June 2006. water levels then made sailing at Underbank so difficult that a move compete in a form of sailing called “team racing” and asked us to was the only way forward. host the ANUSC (Association of Northern Universities Sailing Clubs) It is clear that the club has developed significantly in the last five years, Championship in February 2002. This attracted 16 university teams and while the new clubhouse was of tremendous benefit to the club A reduced membership started sailing at Winscar in 1992 using who with spectators and organisers numbered over 100 people for an in 1994, it was designed to a budget which reflected the then size temporary shore accommodation, while funds were raised and entire weekend, somewhat stretching the club facilities. It was a great of the club, the anticipated usage, and the likely funds available. It permission obtained for a clubhouse. The initiative was supported in success however, and has become an annual event. provided adequate facilities for a small sailing club supporting club principle by Yorkshire Water, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, racing at weekends, but the club has grown in size, in ambition, and The Royal Yachting Association, and the Peak National Park. A new In 2003 we were joined by Sheffield Hallam University Sailing Club in reputation. building, funded by partly members, partly by a Sports Council grant, which now use our facilities in parallel with SUSC. but mainly by the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, was opened in With so many different groups and activities involved, the single room October 1994 by HRH The Princess Royal. Winscar is a good sailing venue being one of the larger reservoirs in which is the heart of the clubhouse is now a serious constraint, even the area, and having generally good wind. This in conjunction with to our normal club activity. There is a pressing need for extra space, With the new building in place the club slowly re-established the friendly nature of the club and its willingness to put on special and particularly for a more comfortable and dry area for spectators. itself, rebuilding the membership and further developing the club events has made Pennine Sailing Club a sought after venue for open infrastructure and sailing facilities. This in spite of the drought in 1996 meetings, many with relatively large attendances. We now host several In support of the original planning application (1992) we said that “this which drastically curtailed sailing, and the Winscar dam repair in 2001 open meetings each year for classes well-represented in the club (eg. facility will provide a superb venue for sailing and windsurfing events at which prevented sailing altogether. Scorpion, Laser, Streaker, Topper) but have also been approached by local, regional, and national levels.” We have developed the club and other classes such as RS600, Phantom, Mirror and where appropriate made that prediction become a reality, and now we must develop the Since returning in 2002, the club has evolved in several ways which all we accommodate these by hosting events in parallel with club racing. clubhouse accordingly. We feel that such a development is essential if impact the usage of the building. We also traditionally host the finale (prize-giving) of the Yorkshire & we are to continue to develop the club, the membership and the range Humberside Youth Sailing Association schools circuit, and this year of activities which we would like to support. In an effort to increase membership and participation in the sport we have hosted the RYA Regional “Masters” event, in addition to the club set out to provide sail training and race training to members the tri-ennial YWA-sponsored “Reservoir Championships” inter-club The club is therefore applying for planning permission to extend the and prospective members. During 2002/3 six adult and six youth competition. club room. members acquired RYA Sailing Instructor qualifications, and these members continue to help provide training for adults on Wednesday All of these activities are good for the club and good for the evenings and for children on Friday evenings each summer. We also encouragement of sailing in general, but they do put additional run sessions to teach powerboat handling, and race-training and/or pressure on our facilities. race-management on Saturdays. An application was made in January 2007 (NP/B/0107/0036) for a These efforts were aided by three separate grants from Awards For All small extension. This design is now considered not appropriate for which have provided both adult and youth training boats and a RIB, to the club. help us extend our training activities. In all we have over 16 club boats of various types which are in use continually, and which are especially useful during our “Kid’s Week” - one week in August each year when we run a semi-residential fun week for children up to 16 years of age. 4 proposed extension to pennine sailing club Design and Access Statement Need The Need for the Scheme When the existing club house was designed it was anticipated that the amenity space would be undersized.