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Agenda item

Barnard Park Copenhagan Street London N1 0NL

Minutes:

Refurbishment and improvement works to park to include: replacement of existing Redgra pitch with 9-a-side pitch and associated retaining walls; creation of new grass area for amenity recreation and sports use; removal of existing park buildings and erection of new community hub building; new and reconfigured entrances and footpaths; installation of adult gym equipment; park furniture; removal and replacement of trees; and landscaping throughout.

 

(Planning application number: P2021/3658/FUL)

 

In the discussion the following main points were made:

·       In response to a member’s question about the operating hours listed in the officer report, the planning officer stated that these hours had been put forward by the applicant. The applicant stated that these hours were standard across Islington parks. In response to a member’s concern that the hours might be insufficient and some residents would be unable to afford bookings, the applicant stated that in addition, there were 12 hours per week booked in for programmed activity and over 25% of pitch hours available were free to end users. The programme would be regularly reviewed.

·       In response to a member’s question about the management of the facility, the planning officer stated that it would be managed by the council’s Greenspace team. The applicant stated that GLL would manage bookings on the council’s behalf and this would be embedded into the contract.

·       An objector raised concerns about carbon emissions and air pollutants as a result of barbecues. He requested a condition to make Barnard Park a barbecue free zone.

·       The applicant stated that the council had a policy to allow barbecues in open spaces and currently was not seeking to change this policy.

·       The applicant stated that the Islington Football Partnership was in its 20th year and was a successful partnership.

·       In response to a member’s question, the applicant stated that in addition to the bookable times, there were daily non-bookable times.

·       The chair asked the legal adviser whether barbecues were a material consideration. The legal adviser stated that the effects of barbecues i.e. emissions and smells were in theory material considerations but a ban on barbecues would not meet some of tests required for this to be conditioned. The applicant stated that the restricted barbecue area in Highbury Fields was the result of a by-law.

·       A member stated that it was important for the management plan to have the right balance between organised sport and informal kick-about time.

 

Councillor Klute proposed a motion to condition a review of the sports pitch management plan after two years.  This was seconded by Councillor Wayne and carried.

 

Councillor Klute proposed a motion to add a condition to require the bricks to be used to be London stock Flemish bond. This was seconded by Councillor Convery and carried.

 

RESOLVED:

That following consideration of the case officer’s report (the assessment and recommendations therein), the presentation to Committee, submitted representations and objection provided verbally at this meeting, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report with the additional conditions as outlined above.

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