Issue - meetings

The Strategic Planning Manager reminded the Committee that at its meeting on 5 February 2019, the Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee approved the Sports Facilities and Playing Pitch Strategies, subject to amendment, as part of the evidence base for the Local Plan Review.  It had not, however, been possible to amend the strategies in accordance with the resolution.  The Committee was therefore asked to approve the two strategies without amendment, subject to the strategies being reviewed at a later date.

The Strategic Planning Manager, in response to questions from the Committee, said that:

·  The Sports England methodology used to form the strategies excluded specialist sporting facilities such as Pegasus Gym, as the methodology required a demonstration of regional or sub-regional need.

·  Heavenly Gym had been excluded from the Sports Facilities Strategy as it was allocated for housing development in the adopted Local Plan, and therefore it could not be relied upon as future sports provision.

·  Mangravet Playing Field had not been included in the Playing Pitch Strategy as the Kent Football Association had no record of the field being used. 

·  The inclusion of the three sites at this stage required additional costs and consultation time, therefore, it was appropriate to reconsider the sites when the strategies were reviewed in January 2020.

The Committee commented that:

·  Although the Heavenly Gym site was allocated for development, the possibility of replacing the facility at an alternative site may be possible.

·  Maidstone should be proud of Pegasus Gym.  If it could not be included in the strategy for technical reasons, it was instead to be recognised as a facility in the document.

RESOLVED: That:

1.  The Sports Facilities Strategy be approved as part of the Council’s evidence base for the review of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan.

2.  The Playing Pitch Strategy be approved as part of the Council’s evidence base for the review of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan.

3.  An addendum be included in the Playing Pitch Strategy to state that:

“Mangravet Recreation Field has potential to contribute towards the borough’s supply of sports pitches, and an appraisal of the site will be given consideration when the Playing Pitch Strategy is reviewed in 2020.”

4.  An addendum be included in the Sports Facilities Strategy to state that:

“The Heavenly Fitness Gym has been omitted from the strategy due to the site’s allocation for housing development in the Maidstone Borough Local Plan 2017.  The site’s potential for future housing development, sports provision or the possibility of replacement on an alternative site will be examined through the review of the Sports Facilities Strategy and as part of the Local Plan review.”

5.  An addendum be included in the Sports Facilities Strategy to state that:

“Pegasus Gym is recognised as a Maidstone facility and will be further evaluated at the Local Plan Review.”

Voting: Unanimous