This meeting will see the committee consider three planning applications, one for tree works and two full applications for new buildings at two local leisure facilities. One of the applications was previously considered by the committee in July of this year and was granted subject to conditions.

Application Number: 24/1076/PMR - Sunningdale Golf Club, Ridge Mount Road, Sunningdale, Ascot, Surrey, SL5 9RS

This is a modification to an existing planning permission. In July, the committee approved plans to build a new greenkeepers storage compound at Sunningdale Golf Club, as well as making some alterations to the existing staff building. This application proposes some changes to the layout of the car park, fuel and wash bay, and some changes to the building's external elevations.

The report explains that the changes are being made to ensure compliance with building regulations. The applicant, Mr T Hall, also wants to install more solar panels on the building. The council officers believe that the changes do not constitute a significant change from what was previously approved and are recommending that the committee approves the application.

The alterations are sought to ensure the building complies with part B (fire safety) and M (access to and use of building) of the Building Regulations, as well as ensuring compliance with Surrey County Council Trading Standards. The additional PV panels are sought to make the building more sustainable.

Because the site is located within the green belt, the council is required to refer the application to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, who will then decide whether to call in the application for their own decision.

Application Number: 24/0156/FFU - Lightwater Leisure Centre, Lightwater Country Park, The Avenue, Lightwater, Surrey, GU18 5RG

This application proposes building a canopy over some of the tennis courts at Lightwater Leisure Centre to allow them to be used as padel tennis and pickleball courts. Padel tennis is a racket sport played on a smaller court than tennis, often in pairs, and pickleball is a racket/paddle sport similar to badminton, played on a badminton-sized court. The application, which was submitted by Pure Padel Ltd, also proposes building a small reception building, customer kiosk and toilets.

The applicant has advised in their planning statement that the facility will be operated by Pure Padel whose mission is to grow padel by making it accessible to the widest possible range of participants. The model does not involve any membership fees with booking secured through a smartphone or online booking system.

The council report explains that the proposal would mean losing the existing tennis courts. However, the report goes on to explain that the tennis courts are in poor condition and are not used very much, and that there are other tennis courts nearby. The application is supported by Sport England and the Lawn Tennis Association, the report explains, because they believe there is enough demand for padel tennis courts in the area.

The proposed hours of operation are 07:00 to 23:00, 7 days a week. However, because the noise assessment was carried out on this basis, the council officers are recommending that if the application is approved, these opening hours should be made a condition of the permission.

The site is located near to the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area and is also near to an area of woodland. The report explains that the application was supported by assessments of the impacts on the nearby wildlife and that Natural England and the Surrey Wildlife Trust have both said that they are happy with the application, subject to some conditions.

Because the development is for more than 1000 square meters of floorspace, it is a major development. This means that the committee is required to make a decision on it rather than the council officers making a decision under delegated powers. The officers are recommending that the committee approves the application subject to conditions.

Application Number: TWA/24/0284 - Street Record, The Grange, Chobham, Woking, Surrey, GU24 8NQ

This is an application for consent to carry out works to protected trees. All of the trees on this site have been protected by a Tree Preservation Order since 2002. The application was submitted by Chobham Poor Allotment, and their agent, Mr Paul Warrener of Branch Management, explained in the application form that they propose to fell one sycamore tree, reduce the height of three false acacia trees and remove some branches from a number of other trees.

The application was referred to the committee for a decision because the local councillor, Councillor Pat Tedder, is a trustee of the charity and the clerk of the charity is related to her.

The applicant (Chobham Poor Allotment) has a local Councillor as a trustee of the charity, and the Clerk is related to the same Councillor.

The council officers are recommending that the committee grants consent, subject to some conditions. One of these conditions is that the applicant plants a new field maple tree to replace the felled sycamore tree.