Agenda item

DM/19/00459/FPA - Brancepeth Castle Golf Club, Club House, Brancepeth

Erection of timber structure on practice range and AstroTurf area.

Minutes:

The Principal Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation on the report relating to the abovementioned planning application, a copy of which had been circulated (for copy see file of minutes).  Members noted that the written report was supplemented by a visual presentation which included photographs of the site.  The Principal Planning Officer advised that Members of the Committee had visited the site and were familiar with the location and setting.  The application was for the erection of a timber structure on practice range and AstroTurf area and was recommended for approval.

 

The Principal Planning Officer noted that the proposal was for a timber structure on the existing practice area on existing Golf Club land.  He referred Members to photographs and aerial photographs highlighting the relationship of the practice area with the main club and the nearby properties and Brancepeth Village.  The Principal Planning Officer noted that the nearest houses were set well behind mature trees.

 

The Committee noted the design of the proposed structure, being 4 metres high with two tee-off areas and one area for instruction for beginners offering a degree of shelter from the elements.  The Principal Planning Officer noted the elevations with the design being relatively unobtrusive.

 

The Principal Planning Officer noted that there had been no objections from the Highways Section, though there had been objections raised by Brancepeth Village Parish Council in relation to the potential increase in traffic.  Members noted there had been no objections from the Conservation Area Officer, Landscaping Officer, Ecology Section or Environmental Health.

 

In terms of public representations, the Principal Planning Officer noted 27 letters of support for the application, noting the facility would help recruit and retain Members at the Golf Club, and would reflect the same amount of use and noise.  It was noted supporters also noted there was no application for floodlighting and there was sufficient parking within the Golf Club.

 

The Principal Planning Officer noted there had also been 10 letters of objection and four letters of representation.  He noted the main issues raised had included: impact on traffic; increased noise; detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area; precedent in terms of commercial activity in the village; risk from stray golf balls; and that further subsequent applications would look to increase opening times or introduce floodlighting.

 

The Principal Planning Officer noted that among other relevant saved Local Plan Policies the was a specific policy relating to golf courses, Policy R18.  He explained that this stated that development would be permitted provided it could be demonstrated that it did not have an adverse impact on: the openness of the greenbelt or the character or appearance of the countryside; or the natural or historic environment; or existing flora and fauna; or the agricultural viability of the best and most versatile agricultural land; or public rights of way; or residential amenity; or traffic and highway safety. 

 

The Principal Planning Officer noted that as there was already an existing practice range on that location it was not felt that there was impact upon amenity, with the orientation of the proposed structure likely to encourage straight plays, however, this would be an issue for the Golf Club to enforce.  He reiterated that Environmental Health had not objected in terms of noise impact.  In relation to impact upon the Conservation Area, Area of High Landscape Value and Historic Park and Gardens, the Principal Planning Officer noted the modest structure would only represent a minimal adverse impact, with the Landscape and Conservation Area Officers offering no objections to the proposal.

 

The Principal Planning Officer explained that the Highways Section had not offered any objections in terms of a potential increase in traffic, and in respect of amended opening times and/or floodlights would be subject to separate applications and for consideration by Committee if appropriate.  He added that this application did not include toilet facilities.

 

The Principal Planning Officer concluded by noting that Officers felt that the application was acceptable in terms of saved Local Policies and National Policies and therefore was recommended for approval.

 

The Chair thanked the Principal Planning Officer and asked Local Member, Councillor F Tinsley to speak in relation to the application.

 

Councillor F Tinsley noted both himself and his fellow Divisional Members, Councillor O Gunn had listened to the points raised by all residents on this application.  He noted the context, within the beautiful Brancepeth Village, having a unique character which should be protected and preserved.  He added it was important that the Committee took the time to consider the issues relating to the Conservation Area and the Historic Park of national significance.

 

Councillor F Tinsley noted that it was also clear the Golf Club had taken regard of the constraints of the site, with a modest structure being proposed, smaller than a two-bed bungalow.  He reiterated as regards the number of letters of both support and objection to the application.  He noted that the Golf Club had explained as regards dwindling numbers and that they needed to compete in terms of facilities they offered.

 

Councillor F Tinsley noted the issues raised by objectors in terms of impact on the Conservation Area and the Historic Park and in terms of residential amenity from noise and stay golf balls.  He added that there was not inclusion of floodlighting within the application and he and Councillor O Gunn were glad as they would feel that would be inappropriate.  He concluded by noting Local Members felt Brancepeth Village was a beautiful village and wished for it to remain that way.

 

The Chair thanked Councillor F Tinsley for his comments and asked Councillor O Gunn to speak in relation to the application.

 

Councillor O Gunn thanked the Chair and noted the area she and Councillor F Tinsley represented, Willington and Hunwick included Brancepeth Village.  She reiterated the points made by her fellow Divisional Member, adding that in particular the Castle and St. Brandon’s Church were amazing buildings.  She noted the views of residents on both sides had been set out within the report and by Councillor F Tinsley and both she and Councillor F Tinsley understood those views.  She explained she understood the importance to the Golf Club in being able to retain members and enhancing golfing opportunities.  She noted that looking at wider sustainability for the area she was delighted that the golf club was in the top 100 in Britain and Ireland and was the only golf Club within the Electoral Division. 

 

She concluded by asking the Committee to take into account issues raised, such as the impact on the Conservation Area and potential traffic issues and noted she was sure the Committee would bring their experience to bear on the decision.

 

The Chair thanked Councillor O Gunn and asked Mr Steve Rose, the applicant to speak in support of his application.

 

Mr S Rose thanked the Chair for the opportunity to speak to Committee and explained he was Chair of the Brancepeth Castle Golf Club’s Strategy Sub-Team, and a 30-year member of the Golf Club.  He added that Team had been mindful of considering the natural environment when looking to have a structure for the practice ground, which had been in use for 48 years.  Mr S Rose noted that most structures of this type were of steel construction and appearance, however, the Team had looked to have a more sympathetic design with timber and appropriate wood stain.

 

Mr S Rose noted no objections from the Council’s Highway Section and added that with dwindling numbers at the club meant that there were 120 less than 10 years ago, giving context in terms of the traffic associated with the Golf Club.  He added there had been no formal complaints as regards noise from the practice area.  He noted that the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Golf Club were residents of Brancepeth Village and supported the application.

 

Mr S Rose noted that it was felt the application would benefit the community in offering additional facilities and asked that the Committee approve the application.

 

The Chair thanked Mr S Rose and asked the Principal Planning Officer to comment on the issues raised by the speakers.

 

The Principal Planning Officer noted he felt it had been helpful that Local Members had attended to give the views on both sides on behalf of residents.  He added that Officers had been very careful in looking at issues such as the impact on the Conservation Area and Officers had worked with the applicant in terms of issues such as the choice of stain to be used, to ensure the structure would blend in.

 

The Chair thanked the Principal Planning Officer and asked the Committee for their comments and questions.

 

Councillor J Robinson noted he agreed with the comments made by Councillor F Tinsley as regards potential floodlighting, however as Officers had stated, that would be a separate application should that ever be requested. 

Councillor J Robinson noted the condition within the recommendation for a management plan and took comfort that this offered protection in perpetuity and therefore proposed that the application be approved.

 

Councillor M Davinson noted on the visit to the site that the area where the minibus had parked while Members looked at the practice ground had potential for people to park and noted he felt the Club should put something in place to prevent parking at the bottom of the practice ground.  He added that the practice ground appeared to relatively quiet, however, should the application be approved, and the area become more popular he felt there would need to be a procedure in place to be able to collect the golf balls safely.  He seconded the proposal made by Councillor J Robinson for approval.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions as set out within the report.

 

 

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