Football centre plans rejected over noise concerns

North East Lincolnshire Council rejected its own plans for new football pitches in Grimsby.

The council wanted to build two new artificial grass pitches, one stadium and one community, as well as floodlights at the Bradley Football Development Centre and 120 extra car parking spaces.

More than 460 people had written in support of the plans, however Bradley Parish Council, along with 147 objectors had raised concerns over noise, traffic, light pollution, anti-social behaviour and over-intensification of the site.

Original plans were rejected last June after councillors raised concerns over noise and disturbance and highway safety.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s new planning committee met on May 29. Photo: Daniel Jaines

Development teams hoped changes to the proposals would score well. Supporters claimed it would increase participation in sport, promote active and healthy lifestyles, create a safe and secure environment and support local talent.

The new plans included a new entrance, fences and bunds to protect against noise and electrical charging points in the expanded car park.

Councillors were told by planning officers that a “lot more work” had been made, including pre-application advice, consultation with residents, reports “over and above” that needed, and mitigation measures being implemented in terms of fencing and bunds.

Supporting the application, Drew Hughes, from NELC said: “This development, in this location, is exactly what sporting families want their borough council to do for them.”

Members of the audience at the May 29 planning committee. Photo: Daniel Jaines

However Marlene Bryden, speaking on behalf of local residents, said the new application was considered to have the same impact: ” Effectively, devastating in terms of noise and light pollution, increased traffic, litter and anti-social behaviour.”

Councillors in the end were swayed by local residents’ concerns and rejected the plans.

Councillor David Hasthorpe said the development “flies in the face” of residents.

He, along with other objectors, also questioned why the facility was football focussed.

The original plans were rejected last year.

“This should encompass many kinds of sports not just football,” added. “However welcome [this] might be by supporters, it  is not welcome to residents.”

“None of the people, or computers that have done the modelling here are going to have to live with it. If this goes ahead, it will be hell in high water.”

Councillor Henry Hudson said the authority’s playing field strategy and Local Plan were “wrong in concentrating this amount of playing fields in this area”.

Councillor Stephen Beasant added: “”I wouldn’t want to be living down there when referees are blowing their whistle because it will be deafening for some residents at that time.”

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