At the invitation of the Chairman, Mrs. B. Johnson addressed the Committee and spoke in favour of the application.
Consideration was then given to the application which had been recommended for refusal by the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services. On the matter being put to the vote, Members considered that -
§ there was a need for an indoor facility to extend the period during which archery training was possible (for example, during the winter months or at times of adverse weather) in order to ensure the skills of club members could be enhanced and / or maintained, and to seek to engage the interest of more young club members;
§ the proposals complied with PPG17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, and policy WYT5 of the Bromsgrove District Local Plan 2004;
§ there were no other alternative sites due to availability and space;
§ the proposed building would have a limited impact on openness in this location given the presence of existing trees and vegetation, and other built structures within Wythall Park; and
§ the proposed building would be used as a community facility.
Members were of the opinion that these points constituted very special circumstances which outweighed the harm that would be caused to the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land within the Green Belt, and any other harm, and that planning permission should be granted.
RESOLVED that permission be granted subject to any reasonable conditions and notes considered necessary by the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services, to specifically include appropriately-worded conditions attached to the Decision Notice relating to:
(a) trees, including a scheme of replacement planting;
(b) a programme of screen planting; and
(c) a satisfactory scheme relating to the external facing of the building to include colour, form and texture.