Agenda item - 18/00979/FUL - Land at Victoria Ground, Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 0DR - Erection of a net fencing system to prevent footballs from the Victoria Ground entering the parking area of Aldi

Agenda item

18/00979/FUL - Land at Victoria Ground, Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 0DR - Erection of a net fencing system to prevent footballs from the Victoria Ground entering the parking area of Aldi

Minutes:

With the agreement of the Chairman the running order of the Agenda was altered, so as this Planning Application could be considered in conjunction with Agenda Item 5 (Application 18/00748/ADV) – Land At, Victoria Ground, Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 0DR). 

 

Officers clarified that the Application had been brought to the Planning Committee for consideration because it was situated on Council owned land.

 

The Chairman drew Members’ attention to the amended Officer recommendation for this Application.

 

Officers reported that amended plans had been received for the proposed fence system, which related to the density and type of netting that was proposed to be used.  The amended plans showed that the density of the netting had changed from the tightly knitted knotless mesh netting with a density of 30x30mm to a mesh netting with a density of 120x120mm.  By reducing the density of the proposed mesh netting, it was considered that it would appear more discreet in the street scene and would have a lower visual impact on the area. 

 

The Council’s Conservation Officer still considered that the amended proposal would amount to less than substantial harm in terms of the Conservation Area and Paragraph 196 of the NPPF.  However, in light of the newly proposed netting the Conservation Officer considered that the balance of public benefits to the proposed harm weighed in favour of the amended proposal, which was less visually intrusive then the original proposed scheme, whist achieving the required public benefit of public safety.  As such the Conservation Officer had raised no objections to the amended proposal.

 

Overall it was considered that the public benefits that would arise through the improved safety when visiting the adjacent retail store would now outweigh the lesser harm that the proposal would have had on the surrounding heritage assets.  As such it was considered that the amended proposal would accord with the policies in the Bromsgrove District Plan and the NPPF and would be acceptable; as detailed in the published Update Report, copies of which were provided to Committee Members and the public gallery prior to the commencement of the meeting.

 

Officers also drew Members’ attention to the updated Recommendation and Conditions, as detailed in the published Update Report.

 

The Committee then considered the Application, which was now recommended for approval by Officers. 

 

Officers clarified that previously there had been a building situated on the adjacent site.  This had been demolished and there was now an Aldi Stores Limited and customer car park situated there.  The proposed netting would ensure that any footballs were contained within the football ground and did not enter the adjoining land which formed the car park area to the Aldi retail store, hence improving public safety and avoiding any potential damage to vehicles parked there.

 

Members commented that they were pleased to see that an amicable agreement had been reached with the Applicant. However, some Members expressed their concern with regard to galvanised posts being used, which in their opinion would be very visible.  Members were informed that galvanised posts would be bright for an initial period of 12 to18 months then temper down.  Further discussion took place on black posts being installed and the potential maintenance of such posts. 

 

Councillor C. A. Hotham proposed an alternative recommendation with regard to black posts being used in place of the proposed galvanised posts. 

 

On being put to the vote, the Committee did not vote for the alternative recommendation and the Chairman went back to the original recommendation.

 

The Committee agreed that an appropriate informative be included with regard to the maintenance of the netting.

 

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted, subject to the Conditions as detailed on page 2 of the published Update Report; and the following additional Informative:

 

1)       the proposed netting be kept in a good state of repair and condition.

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