Agenda item

Proposal: Change of use from an area of the recreation ground to a community activity hub

Location: Dysart Park, Houghton Road, Grantham

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT the planning permission, subject to conditions

 

Proposal: Change of use from an area of the recreation ground to a community activity hub

Location: Dysart Park, Houghton Road, Grantham

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT the planning permission, subject to conditions.

 

(Councillor Patsy Ellis declared this application was within her Ward, however, she came to the meeting with an open view).

 

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

 

Planning Agent                                         Planning Agent - Georgina McCrae

Inspire + - Emma Sharpe

District Ward Councillor                            Councillor Charmaine Morgan (Statement)

 

Together with: 

 

·       Provisions within SKDC Local Plan 2011-2036, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).

·       No comments received from Grantham Town Council.

·       No comments received from Environmental Protection.

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire County Council (Highways).

 

The following comments were made by the public speaker:

 

·       The District Ward Councillor highlighted the applications would be a real investment in the targeted support for young people who had previously been hard to reach.

·       It was outlined that there had previously been anti-social behaviour concerns within the park and the applications were desired to support the young people whilst protecting residential amenity.

 

·       Inspire + commented on the clear significant benefit that the applications would bring to the community, alongside the health and wellbeing improvement.

 

·       The applications were in line with the Council’s policies and Lincolnshire County Council (Highways) had not raised any objections.

 

·       The hub would be around 40m away from the nearest residential property, there was an overall support from the local community.

 

During questions to public speakers, Members commented on the following:

 

·       A query was raised on who would lead the forest school at the hub.

 

It was confirmed the forest school would be led by Inspire +, however, local experts and contacts would be involved in the running of the forest school.

 

·       Whether an application for a community fund would be considered for additional security to the site.

 

Inspire + were aware of the anti-social behaviour within the park, security measures were being considered and funding options were being explored.

 

·       Clarification was sought around the type of organisation that Inspire + were.

 

It was clarified that Inspire + was a charity founded in 2011. At present they had a holiday club provision, deliver apprenticeships in local schools and had been successful in the local area.

 

·       A query was raised on how the project would be funded ongoing.

 

Inspire + had received funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which was used to install perimeter fencing and put towards cost of equipment for the forest school. Local businesses and organisations had shown an interest in supporting Inspire +. Other funding opportunities were being explored.

 

·       The flexibility of opening times of the hub was queried. Further clarification was sought around the supervision and safeguarding of children when attending the forest school.

 

The hub would be flexible in terms of timings, and the ambition was for it to be owned by the local community as a shared facility. For example, evening/weekend sessions and working in conjunction with Men’s Shed.

 

In terms of safeguarding, the boundary fence was installed to enclose and safeguard the children.

 

·       Whether the park had adequate lighting.

 

At present, there was not adequate lighting, however, Inspire + were considering how the space could be utilised and how additional lighting could be installed.

 

·       A query was raised on whether the boundary fence wood cladding was fire retardant.

 

It was confirmed Inspire+ would liaise with the contractors to ensure the boundary fencing is protected.

 

During questions to officers and debate, Members commented on the following:

 

·       Members were in favour of the application and the benefits it would bring to the local community as a whole.

 

Final decision

 

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT the planning permission, subject to conditions:

 

Time Limit for Commencement

1        The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: In order that the development is commenced in a timely manner, as set out in Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

Approved Plans

2        The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following list of approved plans:

i.         Location Plan received 8 December 2025

ii.        Proposed Site Plan drawing no. INS-LIN-XX-XX-DR-A-0012 received 8 December 2025

iii.       Community hub building plans and elevations drawing nos. INS-LIN-XX-XX-DR-A-0110 and INS-LIN-XX-XX-DR-A-0210 received 8 December 2025

iv.       Storage building plans and elevations drawing no. INS-LIN-XX-XX-DR-A-0211 received 8 December 2025

Unless otherwise required by another condition of this permission.

Reason: To define the permission and for the avoidance of doubt.

Before the development is commenced

3        Before the development hereby permitted is commenced, details of the surface and foul drainage scheme shall have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure there is an appropriate means of drainage for the development, hereby approved, and in accordance with Local Plan Policy EN5.

 

Before the development is brought into use

4        Before any part of the development hereby permitted is occupied/brought into use, the works to provide the surface and foul water drainage shall have been completed in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure the provision of satisfactory surface and foul water drainage is provided in accordance with Policy EN5 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

5        Before any part of the development hereby permitted is occupied/brought into use, the external elevations shall have been completed using only the materials stated on the approved plans unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development and in accordance with Policy DE1 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

6        Before any part of the development hereby permitted is occupied/brought into use, the works to provide the boundary treatments shall have been completed in accordance with the approved boundary plans.

Reason: To provide a satisfactory appearance to any boundary treatments and to secure the site in accordance with Policy DE1 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.