Issue - meetings

Councillor Greensmith re-joined the meeting.

Variation of section 106 Legal Agreement (Schedule 5 Provision of Open Spaces – Definitions Section) for outline planning permission 2020/0050.

The Development Manager introduced the report and informed members that as part of the permission, a masterplan was approved showing two sports pitches to the north of the site and within the S106 this was identified as two full size football pitches, but this only accommodated for two junior pitches of 9-a-side. He added that  Sport England had objected to the shortfall and advised that if granted, additional financial contributions should be sought.  

He added that the scheme was approved subject to a viability assessment, which indicated that it would be unviable with additional contributions and that increasing the size of the pitches would reduce the area available for residential development, resulting in a reduction in the number of properties built on the site. 

He added that, the Council had published a new Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy (September 2023), which identified the greatest shortfall in provision for Top Wighay Farm was for youth football. 

He concluded that he recommended the application be supported and the Section 106 be amended to allow the provision of two 9-aside pitches as opposed to two full size pitches, as outlined on page 79 of the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Head of Development and Place and the Monitoring Officer, be authorised to enter into a Deed of Variation as detailed in the report.