Planning Schedule Date: 10/08/2004 - Stroud District Council

Planning Schedule Date: 10/08/2004
hedgerow. The development will extend built form in a westerly direction but as the land rises in
this direction there will be a degree of planting which would act as a backcloth to the new
building. The levels of the land in this particular area would result in the buildings not appearing
overly obtrusive in the landscape. In terms of long distant views the site would be visible from the
south from the Shortwood area and above but due to the existing large scale buildings on the
school site, the college site and The Lawn site would not detract from the character of the built
form when viewed from this direction. Naturally, there will be a change in the landscape
character of the area but this will be managed and further planting will be introduced to help
minimize the impact of features such as parked vehicles. The new stadium will incorporate new
lighting which will enable light to be directed to specific points of the site and as such will reduce
the amount of light intrusion from floodlights from the present situation experienced at The Lawn.
The newly proposed extension to the King George V playing field will enable land to be utilized
for recreational use and the landscape has already been significantly altered in this location due
to the previous activities of the site. The area will not have any lighting and therefore the issue of
light pollution is not relevant. The scheme involves cut and fill operations to provide a level site
and existing landscape features are to be retained where possible. It is proposed to place
conditions on any permission which require further landscaping and works which will protect the
existing features of value on this area of land.
In view of the above it is considered the development is not at variance with Policies N6 and N8
of the Stroud District Local Plan Revised Deposit Version (as amended June 2001).
Affect on residential amenity
In respect of Policy G1 of the Stroud District Local Plan Revised Deposit Version (as amended
June 2001) it is a requirement to consider the effect any development will have on the residential
amenities of occupiers of near by properties. The proposal involves both an access and new
buildings which will be visible from North Farm and Bramble Cottage on the Nympsfield Road in
particular. In order to assess the effect the development will have on the occupiers of these
properties the applicant has been requested to provide information in respect of noise, day
lighting (including a shadow study), and light intrusion from the stadium. The effect the
development will have is summarized as having an effect in terms of noise but this will be for
limited periods of time and not normally late into the night / early hours of the morning. Noise
would also occur in respect of traffic leaving and entering the site. Match day reports suggest
that this would approach a statutory noise situation (albeit for short periods) but it is difficult to
consider the situation solely in these terms. Rather it is suggested the noise aspect be
considered in the context of the loss and some gain in amenity terms when all aspects are
considered. In terms of public interest there is likely to be a gain in amenity terms rather than a
loss. Other legislation exists to deal with noise issues, should they arise, and a balance has to
be struck between the affects of the development against its positive benefits overall in amenity
terms.
The lighting report and plans show the nearest properties will be little affected by the
development and this is not therefore considered to be an issue which would warrant refusal of
permission.
In relation to shadowing the applicant has provided evidence which supports the view the
development will not adversely affect light to the residential dwellings and at times one is in
shadow already due to its proximity to the land to the west of the site which is on a higher level.
In these respects the development accords with Policy G1 of the Stroud District Local Plan
Revised Deposit Version (as amended June 2001).
Car Parking
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