Agenda item

Extension of “Main Stand” to provide seating for an additional 8,225 spectators and an additional 24,522sqm of floor space internally (beneath the expanded “Main Stand”) to be used for the operation of the football club and ancillary functions (Use Class D2) and a 550sqm GIA restaurant/retail unit (Use Class A1/A3). Demolition of 22-32 Wooderson Close and associated refurbishment works to end elevation of 20 Wooderson Close. Reorganisation of the associated parking facilities and gardens. Reorganisation of the club and supermarket car parks and site accesses from Holmesdale Road and within the car parking area from Whitehorse Lane, with associated hard and soft landscaping. Use of the club car park as a fan plaza on matchdays. Pitch lengthening (from 101m to 105m) and the creation of accessible seating within the Whitehorse Lane Stand (spectator capacity reduced by 690). Creation of replacement spectator capacity (683 additional) and relocation of the fan zone, to the corner of the “Holmesdale Road” and “Arthur Wait” Stands. Reorganisation of floodlighting, including the removal of two of the flood light masts. Removal of the TV Gantry at the “Arthur Wait” Stand.

Ward: Selhurst

Recommendation: Grant permission

Extension of “Main Stand” to provide seating for an additional 8,225 spectators and an additional 24,522sqm of floor space internally (beneath the expanded “Main Stand”) to be used for the operation of the football club and ancillary functions (Use Class D2) and a 550sqm GIA restaurant/retail unit (Use Class A1/A3). Demolition of 22-32 Wooderson Close and associated refurbishment works to end elevation of 20 Wooderson Close. Reorganisation of the associated parking facilities and gardens. Reorganisation of the club and supermarket car parks and site accesses from Holmesdale Road and within the car parking area from Whitehorse Lane, with associated hard and soft landscaping. Use of the club car park as a fan plaza on matchdays. Pitch lengthening (from 101m to 105m) and the creation of accessible seating within the Whitehorse Lane Stand (spectator capacity reduced by 690). Creation of replacement spectator capacity (683 additional) and relocation of the fan zone, to the corner of the “Holmesdale Road” and “Arthur Wait” Stands. Reorganisation of floodlighting, including the removal of two of the flood light masts. Removal of the TV Gantry at the “Arthur Wait” Stand.

Ward: Selhurst

Details of the planning application was presented by the officers and officers responded to questions and points of clarification.

Leslie Parry, Bharat Gandhi and Doreen Soukup spoke against the application. Various concerns and requests were made including for a community facility to be provided on site, and step free access be provided at Norwood Junction Station. 

The Chairman requested officers respond to the matters raised.  The Planning Case officer highlighted that CIL was the appropriate way of funding community facilities rather than planning obligations.  The case officer also set out the various difficulties that exist, which prevent the Council from seeking a planning obligation to fund step free access at Norwood Junction Station.

Steve Parish and Guy Wickett spoke in favour of the application.

Councillor Avis and Councillor Cummings, Ward Councillors spoke about the application. Requesting that workers in the new stand be paid London Living Wage, and raising concern over energy and carbon reductions.

The Head of Development Management advised that in negotiating the legal agreement, the Applicant would be required to use reasonable endeavours to all pay staff the London Living Wage.

The Planning Case officer explained why the scheme was unable to meet energy policy, but that this would be mitigated through a carbon offset planning obligation.

The Planning Case officer highlighted that there were matters in the addendum including additional consultee responses. The officer noted that a submission had been received from Sainsbury’s and that the Addendum set out a response to the matters raised. Members then considered the content of the Addendum in detail.

The Planning Case officer also highlighted that the Addendum including changes to remove Head of Term 6.4. The Committee Chairman advised that in light of the removal of this obligation, that officers negotiate with the Applicant to increase the funding towards the travel plan bond, aiming to increase this to £250,000.

The Planning Case officer also highlighted that the Addendum made changes were made to Head of Terms 4.10 and 14.

The Planning Case officer also requested there be a change to Head of Term 4.9 to make it clear that the study needs to look at on site coach parking provision for any home fans coach parking.

The Committee Chairman requested that a summary of the finally draft s106 legal agreement be reported back to Committee so that members would know that their requests had been secured.

After consideration of the officer's report, Councillor Wright proposed and Councillor Kahir seconded the officer's recommendation, on the grounds that the development would be beneficial to the local area, Crystal Palace football club, the local residents and the economy.

RESOLVED – That the Committee voted unanimously in favour so planning permission was GRANTED for development at Selhurst Park Stadium (Whitehorse Lane) and Sainsbury's Car Park (120-122 Whitehorse Lane), No's 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 & 32 Wooderson Close, South Norwood, London.