Carshalton Athletic Football Club Planning Applications: An explanation of what is happening and what will be happening

As we have previously notified residents, there are two current planning applications:-

1) a new “3G” pitch (no. C2013/68433) and

2) for use of flood lighting for training on Monday to Saturdays up to 21.15 hours and on Sundays up to 18.00 hours, except for weekday games and cup matches up to 22.30 and 23.00 hours (no. C2013/68432), thus changing the current planning conditions for hours of use

Cllr. Jill Whitehead says:

“The planning applications for the proposed 3G pitch and related flood lighting matters will be heard by the Development Control Committee of the Council, probably in January. 

Councillors such as myself, Cllr. Alan Salter and Hamish Pollock can represent their local residents at the DCC, if residents so wish. 

Local concerned residents may also wish to speak at DCC yourself (4 minutes are usually allowed for each speaker at the discretion of the committee chair), by letting the Mr. Peter Snow, the committee manager (E-mail: peter.snow@sutton.gov.uk) know when the date of the relevant DCC meeting is announced. Proposed speakers will need to say which body they are representing. The Chair of the Development Control Committee will decide which groups can speak. 

The statutory public consultation for this planning application is currently taking place (6th to 27th December) according to national planning rules, and if residents have objections they can send them into the Council’s Planning Department at Denmark Road or via the Council’s website. 

It is important to note that only planning matters can be considered by the DCC – these include e.g. those things to do with traffic, parking, hours of use, noise, floodlighting, flooding, nature conservation, trees. It is up to the DCC to decide if it wishes to approve, defer (postpone) to another meeting or to reject the planning application.

As the Council abides by national planning rules set by central government, the DCC cannot consider non-planning related matters such as the value of a property, personal views about a planning applicant, or commercial considerations.

As it is the members of the Development Control Committee who will make the decision, residents will need to make their  views known to them at the DCC meeting when it is called, but you can only discuss planning matters. Officers can advise you further.”

Cllr. Alan Salter says:

“We’ve been told that 3 site notices were displayed and letters hand delivered to 338 neighbouring properties on 5th December 2013. Planning officers have however visited the yesterday afternoon and have noted that the notice displayed on the Colston Avenue entrance is no longer there. The other two notices at the entrance to the recreation ground in Brookfield Avenue and Wrythe Lane are still in place.

The minimum statutory requirements for planning applications of this nature are either the display of site notices OR letters of notification to neighbouring properties. In this case the Council has undertaken both forms of notification and accordingly has met the minimum statutory requirements. Unfortunately notices are often removed by others and the Council does not have the resources to ensure that they always remain in place, hence this Council also sends letters of notification to neighbours.

Planning officers assure us that the Council will not make a decision prior to 21 days from the notification letters of 5th December, and in practice the Council will accept letters of representation up until the point that it makes a decision. This will be at the 8th January Development Control Committee at the earliest, but given the Christmas break could be later.Councillors and council planning officers are all aware of the strength of feeling of local residents regarding this site, and we are advised that all comments received prior to a decision being made will be taken into account.

There is also the opportunity for residents to attend the Committee and speak should they so wish.”

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