Planning Application Submitted for Artificial Grass Pitch in Yeovil

How to comment

As part of the planning process you can make a comment on the Planning Application.

If this link doesn't work you can look at our Planning pages and insert the reference number 11/03605/R3D

Project Funding 

South Somerset District Council has secured a total of £593,000 for the pitch, with £117,000 coming from the England Hockey Board and £476,000 from Barratt Homes - who developed the recent Wyndham Park development off Lyde Road.

SSDC planned the project in 2007 in order to address a shortage of artificial grass pitches (AGPs) in Yeovil and South Somerset, and has set aside funds of up to £224,000.

Answers to Artificial Grass Pitch Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it needed?

Yeovil and South Somerset has a shortfall of hockey and artificial grass pitch provision, so we are very pleased to have gained this external funding 

The council's assessment of sports facilities, undertaken in 2006, identified a shortfall in artificial grass pitches within South Somerset.

These assessments were underpinned by comprehensive consultation with schools, parish/town councils, existing sports facility providers and with a postal questionnaire to 2500 households. The largest shortfall is Yeovil and the population has continued to grow.

The table below indicates that across the district there is a current shortfall equivalent to 16,529m² of artificial grass pitch provision and this shortfall will grow to 23,065 m² by 2028. This equates to a shortfall of2.59 full size pitches in 2008 and3.61 full size pitches in 2028.

District AGP Shortfall

The detailed analysis of Yeovil takes account of the current supply of the 3G pitch at Buckler's Mead Sports Centre and the proposals to replace the facility at Yeovil Town FC. It indicates that in 2007 there was a shortfall equivalent to 4,750 m², ( 0.74 pitches), which  will grow to 11,459 m², (1.79 pitches)by 2027. 

SSDC Area South - AGP Capacity/Shortfall

The project is intended to address these shortfalls and is part of an ongoing district wide programme to increase artificial grass pitch provision. Further details can be found in our Artificial Grass Pitch Assessment.

Has other consultation been undertaken?

Yes. Alongside the consultation that was carried out as part of our various sport facility assessments, the project was first discussed back in 2006 with Yeovil and Sherborne Hockey Club. We hand delivered a newsletter to the residents living closest to Yeovil Recreation Centre, inviting them to comment on a proposal for a full-size artificial grass pitch at the site in April 2007.

The newsletter was posted onsite and circulated to members of the recreation ground's User Forum, who discussed it at their annual meeting on 18^th May 2007. No objection to the principle of developing an artificial grass pitch was raised.

The SSDC Area South Committee considered the project and on 4^th April 2007 they approved the principle of submitting a planning application for the proposed AGP at the site. (This is known as First Resolution planning permission, in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992.) 

18% of residents also indicated they would use the artificial grass pitch as part of the Sports Zone consultation exercise undertaken during August and September 2007.

From a business case and capital bid perspective, the project was publically discussed at the council's District Executive meeting in January 2007 and Full Council approved the capital bid for £224,000 in February 2007.

Since then, we have been seeking funding, and gathering the views of key organisations such as Yeovil and Sherborne Hockey Club, Yeovil College, Sport England and the England Hockey Board.

You are now able to make comments on the detailed proposals as part of the planning application process.

When might a planning application be submitted?

The planning application has now been made.

The application fully assesses all the various planning matters such as noise, light, and traffic.

As part of the planning process you can  make a comment on the Planning Application.

Where is the proposed location?

Subject to planning permission, we intend to locate the new facility next to the existing Athletics Arena at the council-owned Yeovil Recreation Centre - alongside the existing football pitches, pitch and putt course, flagship play area, changing rooms and refreshments kiosk.

The proposals will include a small warm up area, a range of landscaping enhancements, and a new CCTV system to oversee all facilities and improve security at the site. We envisage that the facility will be framed by attractive landscaping and newly planted trees, slightly set down into the ground.

Yeovil Recreation Centre already includes an extensive area of grass football and rugby pitches, a large enclosed athletics arena with floodlighting and a PA system, a pitch and putt course, changing rooms, a large outdoor play area and a refreshments kiosk.

The site is owned and run by SSDC and benefits from its central and highly accessible location, existing car parking and changing room provision.

What's the likely size of the facility?

The normal size for an artificial grass pitch including provision for run off and spectators is in the order of 102m by 70m.  It is essentially another pitch just like the existing grass pitches onsite - it is just surfaced with artificial grass, floodlit to provide all year round use and surrounded by a transparent wire fence. 

Is it just for the college or for the hockey club?

No, the facility would be open for college, school, club and community use. 

Will any pitches be lost?

The inclusion of the artificial grass pitch will not result in any football pitches being lost. The existing pitch layout will be reconfigured so that this new facility can be accommodated.

There is one rugby pitch that will be affected. This is used solely by Yeovil College and there are plans to relocate this use to another site.

Despite this change of one type of pitch for another on the site, in overall planning terms the site effectively gains a pitch, as artificial provision is able to accommodate a higher level of use than a grass pitch.

Will the scheme require trees to be cut down?

No trees will need to be cut down. However we are planning to introduce a number of landscape improvements including additional tree planting.

This is an area that would be addressed through the submission of detailed plans as part of the planning application.

Does the Town Green application affect this?

There is an outstanding Town Green application for Yeovil Recreation Centre. The application currently rests with the County Council and is still to be determined.

From a legal risk perspective there is nothing to prevent a planning application from being submitted or permission being granted.

Taking current case law on board, the strength of the council's legal case, the deficiencies in the applicant's case and the nature of the council's management and control measures that are in place for this site, the legal view of the current application is that it will fail. 

Having said this, right now our intention is simply to submit the planning application to establish the principle of developing the pitch at the site. We are in discussions with Somerset County Council to ensure the Town Green application is determined in the near future. We would anticipate that no construction work would begin before the Town Green application is determined.

Will the facility bring more light/noise?

Floodlighting will be required for this facility and we are proposing to apply the same time restrictions that apply to the Athletics Arena next door which has existed for many years (up to 10pm.) The design will be set slightly down into the ground because the field slopes down towards the Athletics Arena and it needs to be flat. The design will include attractive landscaping, such as grassy mounding, and new trees, which will really boost the look of this part of the field and also provide screening.

Is this part of the Sports Zone?

No. It is entirely separate to the proposals for a Sports Zone. The need and proposal for an artificial grass pitch pre-dates the initial idea of the Sports Zone.

The council is now looking at two other preferred sites for the proposed Sport Zone and hopes to finalise the location during 2012, subject to negotiations.

Will this facility cost more to run?

No, the facility is expected to be self-financing and the council has ensured that sufficient provision has been made within the business plan to cover future repair and renewal costs. As a consequence the council will be able to ensure that the facility is well maintained.

What will happen next?

With the funding package secured, a detailed design has been prepared and a planning application submitted. This is open to public viewing and comment.

If planning permission is secured, the facility is expected to open in September 2012