The Planning and Regulatory Committee met on 25 June to discuss planning applications relating to a school and a children's home, and to note the content of the Authority Monitoring Report 2023. Councillors approved applications relating to Weydon Academy, overturning officer recommendations to refuse them, and approved an application for a children's home in Camberley.

Weydon Academy Applications

The committee considered two applications relating to Weydon Academy, both seeking to vary conditions on previous planning permissions to allow extended use of sports facilities. Councillor Catherine Powell, Residents' Association and Independent Group Leader, declared a conflict of interest on the Weydon School application and removed herself from the committee for those applications, but spoke in support of them.

Extension of Hours for Sports Pitches

The first application (reference WA/2024/01669) sought to vary conditions relating to the hours of use of sports pitches and access onto Greenfield Road. The existing permission allowed use of the pitches until 20:30 on weekdays and 18:00 on weekends, with access onto Greenfield Road for staff only between 15:10 and 16:00 on weekdays. The school requested to extend the hours of use to 21:30 on weekdays and to extend the use of the Greenfield Road access to between 15:00 and 21:00 on weekdays.

Officers recommended refusal of the application, stating that there had been no change in circumstances warranting the relaxation of the conditions, which were imposed to protect the residential amenity of nearby dwellings. They argued that the existing balance between community use and impact on residents remained reasonable, and that the proposed changes would cause harm.

Councillor Catherine Powell spoke in support of the application, arguing that there was a shortage of school places and sports pitches in Farnham, and that refusing the application would remove the last option to rapidly increase pitch capacity. She also noted that a second outdoor pitch had been approved at Heath End School significantly closer to housing, and that this operated until 21:30.

Julie Taverner, Business and Operations Manager for Weydon, and Mark Leedale, a planning consultant, spoke in favour of the application, highlighting the growing demand for pitch hire, particularly from youth teams and working adults. They stated that the additional revenue generated would go directly into maintaining facilities and resources for disadvantaged students. They also proposed a one-way traffic system to manage traffic flow and improve pedestrian access.

During the debate, Councillor Ernest Mallett MBE criticised the officer's report, stating that it was making a mountain out of a molehill and that the planning system was stifling development. Other members raised concerns about the impact on neighbours, but also acknowledged the need for sports facilities for young people.

The committee voted to overturn the officer's recommendation and approve the application, with a condition that officers would reword the conditions as appropriate and seek the agreement of the chairman and vice chair before issuing.

Extension of Hours for Floodlights

The second application (reference WA/2024/0131) sought to vary a condition relating to the hours of use of floodlights on the two artificial surface sports pitches. The existing permission restricted the use of floodlights to between 16:00 and 20:30 on weekdays and 16:00 and 18:00 on weekends. The school requested to extend the hours of use to 21:30 on weekdays.

Officers recommended refusal of the application, stating that the reason for refusal related solely to the noise impact. Councillor Catherine Powell spoke in support of the application, confirming that the decision to extend the use of the pitches already extended the use of floodlights.

The committee voted to overturn the officer's recommendation and approve the application.

Chaucer Grove, Camberley - Children's Home

The committee considered an application (reference SU25/0401/PCM) for a change of use of 4 Chaucer Grove, Camberley, from a residential dwelling (Class C3¹) to a children's home (Class C2²).

Officers recommended approval of the application, subject to conditions. They stated that the principle of the development was well established by a ministerial statement issued by the government in 2023, and that a clear justification of need had been demonstrated by the applicants.

Lisa Wade, Head of Service for Children's Residential in Surrey County Council, spoke in support of the application, aiming to dispel myths about children in care. She said that Surrey County Council was very experienced at running children's homes, and that they were highly regulated.

Councillor Trefor Hogg, County Councillor for Camberley East, spoke as a local member, raising concerns about the progressive change towards residential establishments in the area, and the need for stronger conditions to use the available on-site parking.

During the debate, members discussed the need for children's homes in Surrey, and the potential impact on neighbours. One member stated that their experience of children's homes was that they very much fade into their neighbourhoods.

The committee voted to approve the application, subject to the conditions set out in the report and update sheet.

Authority Monitoring Report 2023

The committee noted the content of the Authority Monitoring Report 2023, which covers the 2023 calendar year. The report covers progress relevant to the preparation of the emerging Minerals and Waste Local Plan, the efficacy of planning policies within the existing minerals and waste development framework, and the performance of the development management service against Key Performance Indicators (KPI) as identified by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG).

During a discussion of the report, a councillor asked about the disparity between the reuse and recycling rate of 56% and the landfill diversion rate of 96%. Officers explained that the majority of the waste that doesn't fit between the reuse, recycling, or landfill went to energy from waste facilities.

Another councillor raised concerns about the low percentage of planning applications that include information on how waste will be managed. Officers acknowledged that this was an area for concern, and that they were working to improve the situation.