Agenda item

- Plan No. 00469/OUTEIA - Outline application for formation of 18 hole hole golf course together with club house, greens maintenance building, car park and associated facilities (joint application with Knowsley Council), to the land bounded by Norlands Lane, M62 Motorway and Mill Lane, Pex Hill, Widnes.

Minutes:

            The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site. It was noted that 12 letters of objection had been received on the grounds of which were detailed in the report. In addition Halton Friends of the Earth had sent a letter of objection which raised concerns over the following;

 

  • the justification put forward by the applicants;
  • the transport and accessibility;
  • loss of amenity of local residents;
  • loss of natural habitat;
  • accessibility to the public;
  • assumption over existing course and funding issues; and
  • other uses of the land would be more sustainable.

 

It was noted that this was an initial response and they would be submitting a more substantial response.

 

Mr Worcester from Turley Associates – the planning consultants who were representing the application - addressed the Committee. It was noted that the plans were illustrative plans only and the plans for the siting of the club house would be drawn at a later stage and consideration would be given to residents with regards to the visual impact of the building.

 

In addition the Ward Councillor, Councillor Cross, addressed the Committee on behalf of the residents from Norlands Park as it was felt that the amount of traffic would increase and there were concerns regarding the proximity and scale of the club house.  It was noted that a single storey building would be preferred.

 

Members discussed the possibility of restricting the height of the club house, noise survey assessment, whether the Widnes golf course on Liverpool Road would become surplus to requirements and the public right of way issues.  It was reported that the right of way issues would be dealt with by  Knowsley Borough Council as they fell under its border.

 

RESOLVED: That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

 

1.             Standard condition relating to timescale and duration of permission.

2.             Reserved matters, layout, scale, appearance, and landscape for future consideration.

3.            Amended Plans condition.

4.              Details of materials required prior to commencement (BE2).

5.              Drainage details required prior to commencement (BE1).

6.            Condition to show the levels details for the proposal and how it links in with the adjacent land uses (BE1).

7.              Details of bin storage required (BE2).

8.         Car parking layout prior to commencement (TP12).

9.         Cycle parking (TP6).

10.             Disabled parking (TP12).

11.             Details tree and hedgerow survey prior to commencement (BE2 & GE24).

12.       Bat survey mitigation measures need to be put in place prior to the commencement of development (GE21).

13.       Great crested newts survey, mitigation measures need to be put in place (GE21).

14.       Barn Owl survey carried out and any mitigation measures need to be put in place prior to commencement (GE21).

15.             Badger survey carried out and any mitigation measures need to be put in place prior to commencement (GE21).

16.             Landscape and ecological plan (GE19).

17.            Lighting scheme plan, showing details of all lighting (BE2 & PR4).

18.       Noise levels report and mitigation measures (BE2 & PR2).

19.             Visibility splay required to be maintained at all times (BE1).

20.            Boundary treatment condition required ensuring details are provided prior to the commencement of development (BE2).

21.       Wheel wash condition required for construction phase (BE1).

22.             Scheme for the disposal of Japanese Knotweed (BE1).

23.            Hoardings to be provided during the construction phase, where appropriate (BE1).

24.            Construction hours conditions (BE1).

25.             Club house, and other structures, restricted to single storey only (BE2 & GE1).

26.             Residential accommodation, which should be provided within main clubhouse, for person working on golf course only (BE1).

27.             Operating hours (BE1).

28.             Hour of illumination (BE1).