Sutton Council’s Development Control (or Planning) Committee unanimously threw out Carshalton Athletic Football Club’s two major planning applications last Wednesday (22nd January).

These applications were for (1) increased use of floodlights; (2) the replacement of the turf pitch with a 3G plastic pitch.

Local residents’ representatives and one of your councillors spoke against both of these planning applications at the meeting.

The reasons for refusal included serious concerns over the loss of amenity and damage to the area’s environment, with additional noise and nuisance caused by the floodlights and the anticipated significantly increased use of the ground, as well as a big impact on parking and traffic in local roads near the ground.

There were also considerable concerns expressed by those present about the possible impact of flooding on nearby residential properties, highlighted by the recent bout of very wet weather. We understand that the Football Club will be appealing against the Council’s decision. The appeal would go to the Planning Inspectorate based in Bristol, a Government agency.

We will be making our objections known to the planning inspector in due course. Unfortunately the planning inspector has the legal powers to overturn the Council’s decision.

MORE in a future posting and edition of FOCUS.