Agenda item

The Committee considered an application for the construction of a new indoor swimming pool with gymnasium with associated access footpath linked to Hawkswell Walk, parking, fencing and landscaping.

[Note 1:  In accordance with the procedure for public speaking at Planning Committee, Ms Claire Bridges attended the meeting and spoke in objection and Mr Roger Langham spoke in support].

[Note 2: The Planning Officer advised Members of an update on an amendment to  Condition 2 as detail below:

Remove from ‘Proposed Drawings’:

C4545 C05 (Plan and elevations), dated July 2018

Insert under ‘Proposed Drawings’:

C4545 C10 (Plan & elevations without trees), dated August 2018].

[Note: 3  The Planning Officer advised the Committee that an additional nine letters of objections and two in support had been received mainly reiterated the comments already summarised in the report].

The Chairman requested for the Planning Officer to address concerns raised by the objector which included commercial use of the facilities, opening hours and parking issues.  The Planning Officer advised the Committee that the planning application would need to be considered on its own merits.  Proposed operating hours of use to non-school users outside the school term times and to non-school users during the school term times were outlined in the report.

Councillor Eastwood, Ward Councillor acknowledged there had been a need for swimming facilities in the Goldsworth Park area, however, concerns on parking arrangements, and the operating times of the facility had been highlighted.

Councillor Eastwood, Ward Councillor, spoke in support of the application and welcomed the proposal.  It was thought the school and local schools within the area would benefit from the swimming facilities.  He further added that the commercial use had been necessary in order for the school to run the facility effectively.

It was highlighted that public entrance through the school would be restricted.

Councillor Eastwood suggested for the amendment to the opening and closing hours of the facility in order to relieve concerns raised by residents regarding noise impact along the footpath.

Some Councillors thought the proposed hours of use would benefit the working public accessing the facilities. 

Discussions ensued on the noise impact to the residents along Hawkswell Walk.  Some Members argued that pedestrian access would be  transient along a public footpath. Relevant signage would be erected reminding pedestrians to respect residents privacy.

Whilst Members acknowledged the importance of the swimming pool for school children only, some Members were not in agreement to commercial use of the facilities.  It was felt that the commercial use would  benefit the school in maintaining the high running costs of the facilities, however not all Committee Members were convinced.

Councillor Morales suggested a 1 year condition to the proposed  opening and closing times in order to assess the impact of noise to neighbours.

Councillor Martin requested clarification on the Environmental Health consultation.  The Planning Officer highlighted that conditions 12, 13, 14, and 15 within the recommended conditions addressed the matter.

Councillor Aziz reminded the Committee to be mindful when considering the application before them.  If the Committee refused the application, it was thought that the planning application would be up held on appeal.  It would therefore be difficult for Members to make any amendments.  He spoke in favour of the 1 year opening and closing condition.

Councillor Whitehand spoke in objection to the application raising concerns on noise the impact to residents, including the overbearing size of the proposed development.  Councillor Whitehand proposed and it was duly seconded by Councillor Martin that the application be refused on the grounds of noise impact.

Dan Freeland, Development Team Leader reminded the Committee to be mindful when considering  the proposal  for its own merits.  It was agreed that a reason to the effect of:  ‘Through the intensification of the use of Hawkswell Walk in providing pedestrian access to the proposed facility, particularly outside of existing school hours and term times, the proposal would result in significant harm to the environment and general amenity of Hawkswell Walk properties, by reason of noise and disturbance arising from increased pedestrian footfall, contrary to Policy CS21 of the Woking Core Strategy (2012) and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework’  should be voted on.”

In accordance with standing Order 22.2, the votes for and against refusal of the application were recorded as follows:

In favour:                                 Cllrs Ashall, Boote, Chrystie, Martin and Whitehand

TOTAL: 5

Against:                                   Cllrs Aziz, Eastwood and Morales

TOTAL:  3

Present and not voting:           Cllr Cundy (The Chairman)

TOTAL: 1

The application was therefore refused.

RESOLVED

That the application be refused.