Installation of an extra metal container on site

The proposal was for the installation of an extra metal container on site to measure 12.2m by 2.44m with a height of 2.6m, painted dark green and to rest on wooden sleepers. The proposal would result in a third metal container to the west of the existing containers to contain two mobile team shelters to be used by home and away football clubs on match days. These shelters were a league requirement as Chipstead FC had recently been promoted to the Premier Division of the Kent County Football League.

The site was in the Metropolitan Green Belt, the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Chipstead Conservation Area and adjacent to both an Area of Archaeological potential and Flood zones 2 and 3. A public right of way ran across the site.

Officers noted that the proposed container would provide a facility for outdoor sport in the Green Belt and this could therefore be regarded as appropriate development under Green Belt policy, but only if it preserved openness.  In this case it was considered that there would be a harmful impact on openness and the proposal should therefore be regarded as inappropriate.  Despite the needs of the football club it had not been clear that a structure as large as the one proposed was required and so the case for very special circumstances had not been met.

Members’ attention was drawn to the tabled Late Observations sheet.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       -

For the Application:              Mr. Black

Parish Representative:         Cllr. Mrs. Ide

Local Member:                      Cllr. London

The speaker for the applicant responded to questions from the Committee. The 40ft container was required as 30ft would be too small to hold the shelters and manoeuvre them. The containers would be purchased outright. The metal containers were the best solution to prevent theft, as an expensive tractor had previously been stolen from a wooden container. The club would be reluctant to purchase the shelters unless they could be securely stored but if the club did not have the shelters in place by June 2014 the club would be automatically relegated from the Premier Division.

It was MOVED by the Chairman and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to refuse permission be adopted.

Members of the Committee congratulated the Club on its success and felt it important to support the team.

Concern was raised that the additional metal container could contribute to a semi-industrial feel to that corner of the site. Screening would be needed to lessen the cumulative effect of the containers. It was highlighted that the openness of the Green Belt did not rely entirely on whether the structure was visible. However it was also noted that the corner of the site was close to the motorway. The needs of the football club would amount to very special circumstances to overcome the harm caused.

Some Members suggested that a temporary permission be granted until a more appropriate storage solution could be adopted to replace all of the containers on site.

The motion was put to the vote and the Chairman declared the motion LOST.

The Chairman moved and it was duly seconded that the application be granted temporary approval for 5 years with screening around all 4 containers on site. The motion was put to the vote and it was: -

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED for five years with conditions to include landscape screening around all the containers. The Case Officer is to agree conditions in consultation with local Members.