Birmingham City Council Planning Committee 19 November 2020 I submit for your consideration the attached reports for the South team. Recommendation Report No. Application No / Location / Proposal Approve – Conditions 6 2020/04401/PA Harborne Academy Harborne Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 3JL Replacement of existing hard court with artificial grass pitch and associated floodlighting Page 1 of 1 Director, Inclusive Growth (Acting) Committee Date: 19/11/2020 Application Number: 2020/04401/PA Accepted: 18/06/2020 Application Type: Full Planning Target Date: 19/11/2020 Ward: Edgbaston Harborne Academy, Harborne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3JL Replacement of existing hard court with artificial grass pitch and associated floodlighting Recommendation Approve subject to Conditions 1. Proposal 1.1. Planning permission is sought for the installation of an artificial grass pitch (AGP) to replace an existing hard court facility, and the installation of 4 associated 10m high floodlights at Harborne Academy. 1.2. The 3rd Generation AGP would replace the existing hard court which is located to the south of the school site. The AGP would measure 54m in length and 37m in width, with a total area of 1,998sqm. The playing area would be set in from the perimeter of the pitch by a 3m wide buffer on all sides. The pitch would be green with all playing lines stitched, cut or painted on. The existing fencing which currently encloses the pitch would be retained. There would be a kickboard around the perimeter of the AGP measuring 0.25m in height. 1.3. The lighting would consist of 4no. 10m high galvanised columns with ‘Philips Lighting OptiVision LED gen3’ rotational floodlights, measuring 695mm x 737mm. The lighting level could be switched between 120Lux and 200Lux to meet the sporting requirements. Vertical lux levels have been provided at 5m and 10m heights on a lighting matrix. 1.4. The proposed AGP would provide improved quality of play for football and rugby, whilst the remaining hard court facility to the north of the site would meet demands for tennis, netball and basketball. The agent states that the small size of the pitch means it could only accommodate rugby training play or football play at one time. At maximum capacity, there could be two small-sided football games simultaneously; however this is only likely to be practical for pupils due to the facility footprint. 1.5. The applicant proposed the following hours of use: • Monday to Friday: 08:00 to 18:00 (school use) and 18:00 to 21:00 (community use) • Saturday: 09:00 to 21:00 (community use) • Sunday and Bank Holidays: 09:00 to 18:00 (community use). 1.6. The application is supported by a site access plan; drainage arrangement; design, access and planning statement; and guidance notes for the reduction of obtrusive light. Page 1 of 23 1.7. Following the initial validation of the application and consultation with the relevant bodies, some amendments have been made to the proposal. The proposed floodlights have been changed following consultation with Ecology; the access to the AGP has been changed following consultation with Trees and the site boundary has been amended following consultation with Sport England, to allow conditions to be attached relating to the smaller hard court to the north of the site. These changes are explained in further detail within this report. 1.8. This application is reported to Planning Committee at the request of Councillor Alden, and due to the number of objections received. Aerial images of proposed AGP with 4no. floodlights circled in red. Page 2 of 23 1.9. Link to Documents 2. Site & Surroundings 2.1. Harborne Academy is a secondary school located off Harborne Road in Edgbaston. The main school building lies to the north of the site, and has recently been re- developed following planning approval 2012/02507/PA. 2.2. The hard court proposed to be converted to the AGP is located to the south of the school site, and close to the boundary with the adjacent Blue Coat School to the west. There is a running track running parallel to the pitch to the north west. There are residential properties to the north, east and south which are separated from the pitch by grassed areas. The closest residential properties to the AGP are at High Point (approx. 53m at the closest point) and on Petersham Place (approx. 78m at the closest point). At its closest point, the AGP would be 41m from the boundary of the school site adjacent to the grounds of residential properties. 2.3. The smaller hard court is located to the west of the site, to the rear of properties on Harrison Green. At its closest point, this pitch is approx. 19m from the rear boundary of No. 22 Harrisons Green, and 30m from the rear elevation of the property. Car parking is located between the pitch and the residential boundary. 2.4. To the south west of this pitch there is a multi-use games area (MUGA) within the grounds of the Blue Coat School which was approved subject to conditions in March 2017 (2016/10335/PA). The MUGA was approved with 6no. 10m high floodlights and associated fencing. 2.5. No. 11 Belgrove Close lies at the very edge of the Edgbaston Conservation Area, and boarders the north east boundary of the Harborne Academy site. At its closest point, the proposed AGP would be over 80m away from this heritage asset. 2.6. Site Location. 3. Planning History 3.1. 14/08/2004 - 2003/07290/PA - Erection of fabric structure to provide covered multi use games area. Resurfacing of existing playing areas, erection of new and replacement fencing and installation of floodlighting - Refused for the following reason: The proposed floodlighting and fabric structure to provide a covered multi-use games area would result in unduly obtrusive features within the school grounds which would adversely affect visual amenity of nearby residents. In addition the proposed development would increase the intensity of use of the site by virtue of floodlights on the tennis courts and an increase in facilities offered within the site. Consequently, the proposed development would adversely affect visual amenity of the area and the amenities of adjoining residents by virtue of noise and disturbance contrary to policies 3.8 and 3.10 of the adopted and deposit draft Unitary Development Plan. 3.2. 04/11/2004 - 2004/05393/PA - External works including resurfacing of courts/pitches (with extension to playing area), fencing, disabled parking and access ramps, and new footpath - Approved subject to conditions. Page 3 of 23 3.3. 19/07/2012 - 2012/02507/PA - Demolition of existing school (except for existing hall area), demolition of caretakers house and erection of new 2/3 storey school building and associated works, landscaping, access improvements & car parking - Approved subject to conditions. 4. Consultation/PP Responses 4.1. BCC Leisure Services – No objection. 4.2. BCC Regulatory Services – No objection subject to conditions. 4.3. BCC Transportation Development – No objection. 4.4. Severn Trent Water – No objection. 4.5. Sport England – No objection subject to conditions for a community access agreement and a detailed condition survey and scheme of works for the retained tennis court 4.6. West Midlands Police – No objection. Recommendations have been made for ‘Secured by Design’ principles to be adopted; a management plan is in place for the opening and unlocking of the facility; CCTV; and for external areas to be well lit. 4.7. The Blue Coat School – No response received. 4.8. 29 neighbouring properties and local Ward Councillors, MP and Residents’ Associations consulted, and site notices displayed on Harborne Lane and at the entrances to Petersham Place and Cofters Court. Full re-consultation was carried out following the amendments to the red line boundary. 4.9. Preet Kaur Gill MP – Objection • Consultation – little effort from school and agent to consult the community; concern that not enough neighbours were sent consultation letters; • Lack of business case – school could not provide business case outlining need for the development; lack of planning and preparation ahead of application; several similar pitches in the area apparently are not operating near their capacity; • Commercial use – residents support improving student facilities, however proposal includes commercial use outside of school hours, on evenings, weekends, bank holidays and throughout holidays; noise implications for residents; no respite from noise nuisance. 4.10. Councillor Deirdre Alden – Objection • Light and noise nuisance from the proposal would affect residents; • Use of court to 9pm – outside of school hours; cause of resident concern; • Would prefer the proposal to not include floodlighting so that it could not be used until late into the evening, therefore no late evening noise and light nuisance to neighbours; • Concern that the court would be let out to non-school organisations and would be for a number of different sports such as football as well as tennis; Page 4 of 23 • Local residents are very worried about noise and light disturbance from a number of different games potentially happening on a number of nights and not just in school hours; • The proposal is not acceptable in the middle of a residential area; • Concerns about community access to the site • Considers the proposal would change the character of the area. 4.11. Calthorpe Residents’ Society – Objection • Site is within a long established, prime residential area surrounded by housing to the north, south, east and west; • The site is very close to the boundaries with Crofters Court, Petersham Place and High Point; • There is a risk/likelihood that residents, including the very young and old, would be affected by noise; • Noise and light pollution outside of school hours are top of risk assessment list; • Provision of good sporting and educational facilities is to be encouraged, however the proposed operating hours have potential to cause disturbance to residents; • Suggest limiting the hours would be appropriate; • Use on Sundays and Bank Holidays are considered to be particularly anti- social and shouldn’t be allowed.