Derry City and Strabane District Council Planning Committee Report

COMMITTEE DATE: 3rd June 2015

APPLICATION No: A/2015/0185/F

APPLICATION TYPE: Floodlighting

PROPOSAL: Provide 2no. 6m high lighting masts to extend the hours of use

LOCATION: Pitch adjacent to Leafair Gardens, Derry

APPLICANT: Derry City Council, 98 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7NW

ADVERTISEMENT: 29th April 2015

STATUTORY EXPIRY: 13th May 2015

RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE

REASON FOR PRESENTATION TO COMMITTEE: Council Application. Non Delegated

All planning application forms, drawings, letters etc. relating to this planning application are available to view on www.planningni.gov.uk

1. Description of Proposed Development

The proposal is for 2no. 6 metre high lighting masts to serve the existing outdoor gym adjacent

to Leafair’s 3G pitches.

2. Site and Surrounding Area

The application site is the new outdoor green gym adjacent to the 3G pitches at Leafair Gardens.

The gym equipment is located on an area of wet pour with a tarmac path around. It is enclosed

by 2.2 metre high mesh fencing and the boundary with the adjacent pitches is 4.2 metre high

ball stop fencing. The two lighting masts are in place on the south east boundary but are not yet

operational. Approx. 45 metres south west of the site, Glengalliagh Road is located at the

bottom of a grass banking.

3. Site Constraints

The application site has no relevant site constraints

4. Neighbour Notification Report

Neighbour Address Date Neighbour NotifiedLeafair 3G Pitches Building, Leafair Gardens, Shantallow, Londonderry, BT48 8HL

13/4/1528/4/15

5. Relevant Site History

A/2012/0028/F - 3 Storey High Community Health and Recreational Facility with ancillary office

space at Leafair Playing Fields, Derry. Planning Permission Granted 11.03.2013

A/2009/0737/F - 3G synthetic pitch with 8no. floodlights at Leafair Playing Pitches, Derry.

Planning Permission Granted 04.12.2009

6. Policy Framework

Derry Area Plan 2011

Planning Policy Statement 1 : General Principles

Planning Policy Statement 8 : Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation

7. Consultee Responses, Internal/External

Transport NI have no objections to the development subject to the floodlights being designed

and orientated in such a manner with an appropriate degree of illumination so as not to distract

the attention of motorists on the public road.

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Environmental Health Department advise that should

planning permission be granted, the developer should be advised by way of an informative to

ensure all flood lighting associated with the development is optically controlled to minimise

pollution from glare and light spill, potentially affecting nearby residential properties.

8. Representations Consideration

No letters of support or objection to the development have been received.

9. Planning Assessment and Other Material Considerations

The application is for 2no. 6 metre high lighting masts to serve the new outdoor green gym

adjacent to the 3G pitches at Leafair Gardens. The site is located within the development limits

of Derry City as designated in the Derry Area Plan 2011 and is identified as an existing area of

recreation and open space. The main planning considerations that need to be taken into

account in assessing this proposal are PPS 8 in terms of floodlighting and PPS 1 in terms of

amenity. Policy OS 7 of PPS 8 states that the Department will only permit the development of

floodlighting associated with sports and outdoor recreational facilities where there is no

unacceptable impact on the amenities of people living nearby; there is no adverse impact on the

visual amenity or character of the locality; and public safety is not prejudiced. The provision of

lighting can extend the hours of operation of a facility and a number of issues therefore need to

be considered i.e. the potential for increased use of the facility, light pollution and increased

traffic and noise generation.

The proposed lights are approx. 60 metres from the nearest residential properties at Bradley

Park on the opposite side of Glengalliagh Road, but are directed in the opposite direction facing

north west away from these houses and into the outdoor gym. The nearest residential

properties to the north west are approx. 120 metres away at Leafair Gardens. I consider that

there is sufficient separation distance between these properties and the proposed lighting to

mitigate any impacts upon residential amenity. There have not been any objections to the

proposal from any of the nearby residents and Environmental Health have not raised any

concerns in relation to the development. The developer shall be advised by way of an

informative to ensure all flood lighting associated with the development is optically controlled to

minimise pollution from glare and light spill, potentially affecting nearby residential properties.

The proposed lighting masts are 6 metres high, are similar in style to those operational at the

adjacent playground and are much smaller in scale and intensity than the 8no. 10 metre high

floodlights at the adjacent 3G pitches. The proposed structures are of an appropriate design and

scale to serve the outdoor gym facility and will not have a significant impact upon the visual

amenity or character of the area.

The Council has not specified that there will be any increase in the number of visitors or vehicles

to the facility therefore it can be assumed that the proposal will not generate any significant

increase in vehicular traffic. The proposed lights will be directed facing north west into the

outdoor gym area and away from the Glengalliagh Road which is approx. 45 metres to the south

east at the bottom of the grass banking. Transport NI have no objections to the development

and I do not consider that the development will prejudice public safety.

10. Conclusion and Recommendation

Having considered all material considerations, including the development plan, relevant

planning policies, consultations etc. I would recommend that the Planning Committee gives

consideration to my professional report and recommendation to grant planning permission for

the two proposed lighting masts.

11. Conditions

1. As required by Section 61 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of 5 years from the date of this permission.

Reason: Time Limit.