A new multi-use games area will be built in an Isle of Wight seaside town’s popular play park and gardens.
Sandown Town Council’s planning application for the construction of a football and netball pitch in the middle of Sandown’s Sandham Gardens has been approved by County Hall.
New ‘PlayZone’
The proposed ‘PlayZone’ is a joint project of both the town council and the UK’s largest sports charity, the Football Association.
It is described as a ‘safe, inclusive and accessible’ space for the community to gather, play sport and be active, according to a design document submitted by the Football Association.
The development forms parts of the charity’s PlayZones programme – a capital investment scheme using funding from the Premier League, The FA and the government through the public body Sport England.
Investment priorities
Investment is being targeted towards areas with the ‘greatest need’ and four priority groups: lower socio-economic groups, women and girls, disabled people and people with long term health conditions.
Each facility is designed in partnership with local communities.
IWC: The proposal would create better provision
A council report explaining the decision said,
“Although this proposal would lead to the loss of a playground area and a small sports court, given the nature of the scheme for a modern multi-use sports facility, it is considered that the proposal would create better provision and would therefore be acceptable in principle and would be classed as a leisure and community facility.
“Sandham Gardens is an area of designated open space which is set out as a park and garden used for sport, leisure and recreation purposes.
“The proposed development would consist of a sports facility which would complement the existing activities within the locality.
“Having due regard to the distance between the proposal and neighbouring properties and the information submitted in respect of potential light spillage, officers are satisfied that the proposed floodlights would not result in an unacceptable impact on the amenities of neighbouring properties from light spillage.”
The council added the proposal would not cause any harm relating to ecology or biodiversity and was ‘unlikely’ to increase flood risk.
Island Roads made no objection to the application.
Conditional permission
Conditions attached to the approval include that work is begun within three years of permission being granted and carried out according to submitted plans, further development and contact information is provided, archaeological research is carried out with details supplied to the council and time restrictions are applied to construction work and the facility’s use.
County Hall added two other requirements: grass and vegetation restoration and adhering to floodlight regulations.
Approval was made conditional due to national planning legislation and Island planning policies.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
