Urn Field, Downside Road, Guilford, GU4 8PH

the creation of a floodlit artificial hockey pitch with a 6 - lane all weather running track, a football pitch, relocation of cricket nets, extension to sports pavilion balcony and new javelin, discus, shot put and long jump area alongside the creation of a new store building and additional on-site car parking

Authority: Guildford Borough Council
Appeal type: major · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Hearing
Development: leisure-sport · Other Major Developments
Inspector: Miles H

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The main issues are the effect of the proposed development on the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and on the provision of education and community facilities.

What decided it

The significant benefits to educational and community sports facilities were found to outweigh the limited and time-restricted harm to the AONB's landscape and scenic beauty.

the benefits of improved education and community sports facilities outweighed the limited harm to the AONB's landscape and scenic beauty, and the appeal was allowed

Framework references: 176, 149, 95, 93

Plan policies cited: Policy P1, Policy P2, Policy CF4, Policy R6, Policy ID4

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.

Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

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