Agenda item

Newbridge High School Forest Road Coalville Leicestershire LE67 3SJ

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report to Members.

Councillor R Johnson, Ward Member, addressed the Committee.  He explained that since being elected in 2011 and being a Member of the Planning Committee he had always looked at the merits of applications and what was in the public’s best interest, it was his opinion that this application had neither.  As both a District and Parish Councillor, Councillor R Johnson had always supported the school and encouraged the applicant to engage with residents about everything the school was planning but on this occasion only minimal contact has been made.  He reported that the school had admitted that it had breached the conditions already imposed on many occasions and as an authority, the Council should be protecting the resident’s amenities no matter what and enforcing the conditions.  Councillor R Johnson had experienced the noise disturbance personally due to living approximately a mile away from the school and had decided to approach the caretaker regarding the noise level.  His main concern was the exposure to noise that the very young children had to endure.  He asked Members to imagine what residents would have to cope with being in closer proximity of the facility.  Residents had to tolerate high noise levels from the school facilities being used late at night when trying to enjoy their gardens.  Councillor R Johnson referred to a resident who was a carer for his long term seriously ill wife who needs the quietness to recuperate; the amended conditions would make their lives hell.  He also referred to another resident who slept in the afternoon until he started work in the early hours of the morning as a long distance HGV driver, his sleep was affected by the noise which put his life in danger whilst driving.

At this point, as Councillor R Johnson had declared an interest in the item, he left the meeting and took no part in the consideration or voting thereon.

Mr N Mann, noise assessor on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee.  He explained that he had attended the site and undertaken a noise assessment while the noise was at maximum volume to calculate the most appropriate levels to ensure World Health Organisation guideline limits were not breached.  This was what Members had before them.  He confirmed that the facility would be used in the evening not at night time and that he had worked with the planning officers to agree on how to manage the situation to achieve an acceptable noise level.

At the request of Councillor D J Stevenson, the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the recommended hours of operation to be 8.00am to 9.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 7.00pm Saturdays and 9.00am, to 4.00pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.  During these times the windows and doors were to be closed.

Councillor G Jones moved the officer’s recommendation to permit and it was seconded by Councillor D Harrison.

Councillor D Everitt commented that it was good to see the facilities being used to its full potential and he had benefited from facilities such as this all his life.

Councillor J Legrys commented that as a neighbouring Ward Member, he was aware that the school had not been a good neighbour over the years and he shared Councillor R Johnson’s concerns.  The residents currently had to put up with unauthorised noise levels and vehicles parking badly in the surrounding area, blocking drives.  He believed that if the application was approved it would result in a high number of complaints.  He also commented that the noise assessment was not undertaken in reality but at a desk using software.  He asked Members to imagine not being able to use their gardens in an evening due to the noise levels.  He understood that schools needed to diversify but letting an independent body use the facilities to run events was not the way to do it.  He asked that if the application was permitted, would it be possible to add a 6 month trial period to it. 

Councillor V Richichi stated that he could not vote against the application as he was responsible for playing loud music at times but he believed maybe the removal of using the facilities on a Sunday might be appropriate.

Councillor R Canny commented that the school had a fantastic facility and as they could not even put a CD player on at the moment, she could understand the need for the application.  She could also understand the concerns of the residents and agreed with the suggestions to remove Sundays from the conditions.  She also suggested removing Bank Holidays.

Councillor M Specht reported that the Parish Council objected to the application and had requested the conditions be placed on school hours and during term time only.  As the Parish Council had not been supported, he would not be voting in support.

Councillor D Harrison believed in dual use of schools and liked the idea of the noise limiter.  He agreed with permitting the application for a trial period, but felt that six months was too short, twelve months would be more appropriate.

Councillor R Adams stated that he valued people’s quality of life and therefore moved the amendment to the conditions to remove Sundays and Bank Holidays and permit for a trial period of twelve months.  The meeting signified its assent to the proposed amendment.

The Senior Planning Officer assured Members that the noise assessment was undertaken at the facility and the recordings were assessed in a desk exercise.

The Chairman put the proposed amendment to the vote and it was agreed.

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, with an amendment to condition 4 to delete Sundays and Bank Holidays, and for the permission to be for a trial period of twelve months.