Agenda item - BH2024/02855 - Aldrington Recreation Ground, Wish Road, Hove - Full Planning (Council Development)

1.    The Planning Manager introduced the application to the committee.

Speakers

2.    Des O’Dell addressed the committee as the secretary of the Friends of Wish Park and cricket was important, and they had fought for a grass pitch. More information had been requested but not received and more dimensions were needed. Wish Park has changed over the last 20 years. There are no adequate changing places, and casual use of the pitch outside of core hours will be an issue. A central location would be better.

3.    Laura Spence addressed the committee as the applicant and stated that the recreation ground was widely used for sport and recreation. The development of a strategy for the park was ongoing. It was noted that seven cricket pitches have been lost in recent years across the city. The pitches that are available are already fully booked for the upcoming cricket season. The site is supported by Sussex Cricket and the English Cricket Board. The pitch will be sited 50 yds from neighbouring properties and will be artificial. Two football pitches will need to be moved slightly.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

4.    Councillor Nann was informed that the goal posts for the two football pitches could be moved. The applicant noted that cricket was not restricted to one pitch at a time. The resident noted that in the winter the park was used for dog walking and football and in the summer was used for a wide range of events and this would be a point of conflict. The resident considered teams were covered by insurance, however, random turn ups were not. It was noted that the pavilion is to be refurbished, however, there will be only one set of changing rooms.

5.    The Planning Manager noted that Health & Safety issues and liability were not planning matters.

6.    Councillor Shanks was informed that the resident representations were balanced between positive and negative. It was noted that the public may book the pitch through the Brighton and Hove City Council website. It was noted that the English Cricket Board have given advice.

7.    Councillor Theobald was informed that more cricket pitches were needed across the city. It was noted that cricket nets were not possible at the park.

8.    Councillor Robinson was informed that while the cricket pitches would take up a lot of space, 75% of the park is taken up with football currently. It was noted by the applicant that the council have public liability insurance and there was no other site with cricket pitches alongside each other.

9.    Councillor Sheard was informed by the resident that 30m high safety nets were not practical in this location.

10. Councillor Loughran was informed that a ball trajectory analysis had not been requested. It was noted that Sport England’s planning remit relates solely to the loss of playing fields which was not the case with this scheme. .

11. The Legal officer noted that the park was already a sports ground, and cricket was already being played so this was no change.

Debate

12. Councillor Robinson considered a risk assessment was required.

13. Councillor Winder agreed and requested the application be deferred.

14. Councillor Theobald wondered what the residents wanted.

15. Councillor Sheard considered a second pitch was wanted and requested a deferment so a risk assessment could be submitted.

16. Councillor Earthey proposed a deferral to get a risk assessment.

17. Councillor Nann considered the committee needed to approve or not, there was no time to assess the risk.

18. The Planning Manager noted that the funding of the project was not a planning issue. If the committee so wished they could vote to have the application decided under delegated powers so the funding deadlines would not be missed.

Vote

19. A vote was taken, and the committee agreed unanimously to grant delegated authority to the case officer to determine the application once a risk assessment has been received confirming whether the pitch can be used safely.