Agenda item

Report No: DEV/FH/17/033

Planning Application - Artificial 'uphill training' gallop with lagoon, car park, access and all associated works

Planning Application - Artificial 'uphill training' gallop with lagoon, car park, access and all associated works

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as it was a significant proposal in connection with the horseracing industry in Newmarket and raised issues of more than local importance.

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting.  Newmarket Town Council raised no objection and Officers were recommending that the application be approved subject to conditions, as set out in Paragraph 91 of Report No: DEV/FH/17/033, with delegation being sought within the recommendation for Officers to agree the final wording of the conditions.

The Principal Planning Officer drew attention to a minor typographical error on page 1 of the report where the report’s recommendation should have been shown as being for approval, subject to conditions (rather than ‘seeking further information’).

The Case Officer spoke on the ‘planning balance’ considered in respect of this application.  It was the Officer’s opinion that any adverse impacts were outweighed by the benefits brought about by the scheme.

Speaker:      Mr Nick Patton (applicant) spoke in support of the application

Councillor Simon Cole spoke at length in opposition to the application.  He made specific reference to the archaeological importance of the site and raised concerns in relation to the impact the scheme would have on the landscape.

Councillor David Bowman made reference to the recommendation for four year temporary permission.  In his opinion there was no reason to deviate from the three year ‘norm’ temporary permission usually recommended by Officers for applications.  Accordingly, he proposed that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation, but with an amendment to change the four year temporary permission to three years.  This was duly seconded by Councillor Brian Harvey.

Upon being put to the vote and with 6 voting for the motion, 4 against and with 3 abstentions it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the completion of a S106 legal agreement to secure funding for the off-site water supply network mitigation, and subject to the following conditions:

1. 3 year planning permission
2. Materials (final details of construction and finishing to bridge construction and boundary treatments)
3. Construction and Environmental Management Programme (CEMP) to be submitted and agreed. This will include ecological protection measures during construction.
4. Landscaping – full schedule of planting and timetable for implementation to be submitted and agreed prior to commencement of development.
5. Arboricultural method statement and tree protection plan to be submitted and agreed.
6. 10 year management plans for all new and existing habitats including: existing woodland, new woodland, tree belt to the northeast, chalk grassland, new and existing hedgerows to be submitted and agreed
7. Details of habitat creation for chalk grassland, woodland and hedges to be submitted and agreed
8. Construction and site preparation (including deliveries) restricted to between 07:30 and 18:00 hours Mon to Fri, and 08:00 and 13:00 Saturdays.
9. No development shall take place within the whole site until the implementation of a programme of archaeological work has been secured, in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.
10. Completion of off-site water supply network mitigation pre-commencement
11. Off-site highway works (improvements to Hamilton Road / Exning Road) to be submitted and agreed prior to commencement of development
12. All HGV traffic movements subject to a deliveries management plan to be submitted a minimum of 28 days before delivery of any materials
13. Daily disposal of horse waste and secure storage whilst on site
14. Details of proposed de-watering scheme to be submitted to and agreed in writing pre-commencement
15. Details to a Groundwater Monitoring Plan to be submitted to and agreed pre-commencement
16. No investigation boreholes to be undertaken with prior approval of the Local Planning Authority
17. Ecological mitigation to be implemented in full in accordance with agreed details

With Officers being given delegated authority to agree final wording/variation of the above conditions.