PAPER C
Committee : DEVELOPMENT
CONTROL SUB COMMITTEE
Date : 21
NOVEMBER 2006
Title : TCP/22221/E
P/00566/04 - DEMOLITION OF GOLF
DRIVING RANGE STRUCTURE, SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION TO FORM REPLACEMENT GOLF
DRIVING RANGE, PROPOSED FLOODLIGHTING, WESTRIDGE GOLF CENTRE, BRADING ROAD,
RYDE
REPORT OF THE
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL MANAGER
To report back to the
Development Control Sub Committee on the progress made with regards to the
installation of the earth bund following consideration of this item at 19
September 2006 meeting.
I refer Members back to the
report of 19 September 2006 which was taken as an urgent business item together
with the update. At that time, Members resolved to adopt the following
recommendation:
In anticipation of the completion of the project by 1
November 2006 to reconsider this item at 21 November 2006 Development Control
Sub Committee meeting.
To advise the operator that in the intervening time
up until 21 November 2006 that enforcement action would not be taken with
regards to the use of the lights, providing the diffuser screens are in place
and the lights are switched off by 2030 hours on Mondays to Fridays inclusive
and by 1830 hours on Saturdays and not used at all on Sundays.
Members may recall that at
the September meeting they were advised that the lights have been assessed from
four locations, Eddington Road, Orchard Road, Nettlestone Green and Seaview
Lane. Reference was made to the number of lights that were still capable of
being seen from these locations specifically from Seaview Lane and Nettlestone
Green when on the 18 September two lights could be seen from these locations
whilst at Orchard Road only one light can be seen and that at Eddington Road
none of the lights could be observed.
A
night time site inspection took place on 2 November 2006 which involved
visiting these four locations at which time none of the lights could be
observed by standing at the road side. Obviously, there was a halo effect in
operation but the bund was achieving its primary purpose in obstructing a
direct line of sight of the lights from these positions.
Clarification
is being sought from the operator of the Westridge Centre whether the bund has
reached the maximum height intended.
Members
should be aware that from Bullen Road the bund does not screen the limited
number of properties in closer proximity to the site from the lights and that
this was to be achieved through landscaping.
1. To note the progress made by the
operator.
2. Subject to confirmation of the height
of the earth bund to allow the operator to run the facility up to 2100 hours on
any day without the diffuser screens being in place.
3. Subject
to confirmation of the height of the earth bund to allow the operator to run
the facility up to 2100 hours on any day with the diffuser screens retained in
position.
The operator has clearly
made progress on the installation of the earth bund since the September meeting
to the degree that the operating hours limitation can be lifted.
Members
have to consider whether they wish to see the diffuser screens retained to
offer some degree of mitigation to nearer residential properties specifically
those off Bullen Road or whether they would be content to allow the operator to
operate without the diffuser screens. For Members information, retention of the
screens does restrict the sight lines down the golf driving range particularly
when longer shots are hit.
At
the time of writing this report I have not been able to confirm if the bund has
reached the height specified on the approved plans. I hope to report further on
this matter at the meeting. IN the intervening period I would suggest a
precautionary approach which is reflected in the recommendation below.
1. To note the progress made by the
operator.
3. Subject
to confirmation of the height of the earth bund to allow the operator to run
the facility up to 2100 hours on any day with the diffuser screens retained in
position.
Contact Point ; Mr S Cornwell, Enforcement Team Leader
( (01983) 823552