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Astroturf Campaign

TUESDAY 25th OCTOBER 2005

Commenting on the proposal, Cllr Stephen Burke, leader of the council, said:

"The council supports the protection of open spaces in the borough and of course listens to the concerns of its residents. Our role is to manage Bishop's Park for the benefit of the borough and after careful consideration we do not believe that the proposal for an astroturf sports facility is in the public interest in this location. We will therefore not allow this proposed development to go ahead."

"Therefore, even if the planning application by the Fulham Football Club Community Sports Trust is approved by the council as planning authority, following the statutory process, the council as landowner will not permit the development to proceed."

"The council already has plans for almost £300,000 worth of environmental and play improvements in Bishops Park and our ambitions are for all our open spaces to evolve in line with people's changing needs. However, decisions about any developments must take into account a wide array of considerations, and in this case we feel the benefits of green, open space outweigh those of an astroturf pitch."

"This decision does not alter our commitment to developing affordable community sport facilities for all in the borough. The current development of the Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool in White City is an example of this commitment to sporting development. The 2012 Olympics in London provides huge opportunities to create first class facilities for everyone - world class athletes, sports clubs and those who play sport for fun and to keep fit. The council's sports strategy, which will be published shortly, will look at the needs of borough residents, the existing provision of sports facilities and how we can develop new provision in appropriate locations with partner organisations. The council will consult fully on the strategy."

Original Proposal

THE COMMUNITY SPORTS FACILITY PROJECT IN BISHOPS PARK

DESIGN STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION

INTRODUCTION

Fulham FC Community Sports Trust are leading a project to regenerate part of Bishops Park as a Community sporting facility.

The proposal is to provide a quality sporting venue for use by all ages and sectors of the local community including under-represented groups such special needs children.

The project will focus on a multi-use pitch suitable for football, touch rugby, cricket and hockey etc providing a range of sporting activities to encourage children and young adults to devote more of their leisure time to sport and more healthy activities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHEME

The proposal is for the provision of a full-size 100 x 64m astroturf sports pitch to be laid on the playing field area of Bishops Park behind the Putney End of Fulham Football Club. The pitch will be enclosed by new fencing and will have low level floodlights to enable the facility to be used during the evenings and in particular during winter months.

The changing room facility directly behind the Putney End stand of Fulham Football Club will be refurbished and brought back into use as part of the scheme.

A cricket net facility will also be provided.

It is a Community facility operated by Fulham FC Community Sports Trust in conjunction with the Local Authority. It will not be used as a training pitch by the professional teams of the Club. These are all based at the Motspur Park training ground at New Maiden in Surrey where grass pitches have been constructed to replicate the standard of the pitch at Craven Cottage.

It is important that players train on grass based pitches to reduce the risk of injuries and to assimilate match day conditions.

THE PITCH AND ASSOCIATED EXERCISE AREA

The full-size Astroturf pitch will be a 40mm sand filled monofilament surface designed and compatible for multi-sport Community usage. The pitch will be constructed on a new base with a network of underpitch drainage pipes. These will be connected to a below ground pumping chamber and discharge into the existing drainage systems in Stevenage Road.

No major changes to the existing levels are envisaged in order to avoid any impact in flood plain capacity.

A 2 metre ballstop/security fence would be provided around the pitch.

The pitch has been positioned to allow for a grass area to be created in front of the changing rooms in line with requirements identified during Fulham's experience of delivering Community activities over the last decade.

This area will be used as an exercise area to warm up and cool down in for participants to reduce disruption and overlapping of bookings. It would also be used as a registration and presentation area for participants on activities, particularly for multi-school tournaments.

The area will also be used as a spectator area especially for multi-school and special needs events.

The creation of this area will prevent participants and spectators from blocking the pedestrian and cycle paths around the facility avoiding safety issues.

The area will also be used for the cricket nets which are a key priority to deliver a cricket development plan within the Borough. The nets will be used to engage local youngsters in cricket and develop an exit route into local cricket clubs. The nets will be positioned a couple of metres in front of the fence facing away from the river and fully enclosed apart from one end. A matting surface will be used surrounded by portable nets and the area will provide a safe environment for players and the general public.

During periods when the cricket nets are in use the Head Coach will be in charge of safety and spectators and participants of the pitch will be kept well away from the nets. The nets require sufficient space around them to avoid any injury or damage to the general public, vehicles or buildings. A dimension of 60 metres has been advised as the basis of the activity cone required in front of the nets for safe their operation which has been indicated on the layout plans. This dictates the position of the main pitch which has now been adjusted to a dimension of 35m from the boundary wall with FFC. A boundary fence will be provided around the exercise area to control access when the facility is in operation. This will be similar to the existing park railings and has been positioned to minimise the impact on the park with gates provided to maintain access along the riverside walk and around the new facility at all times when the park is open to the public.

These gates will only be shut when the park is closed to the public. Access to the new facility will then be via existing gates located adjacent Stevenage Road.

THE BUILDING

The existing building will be fully refurbished as part of the proposals under a new roof with new doors and windows. The paving around the building will be relayed.

ACCESS

Access to the facility will be via the existing gates at the end of Bishops Park adjacent to Stevenage Road.

Public access to the park will not be restricted by the new proposals.

DISABLED FACILITIES

The use of the facility by disabled groups will be encouraged. Access ramps will be formed to the new pitch and disabled toilet facilities will be incorporated into the changing rooms.

FLOOD LIGHTING

The existing flood lighting in this area of the Bishops Park is to be removed. New purpose made floodlights will be provided as part of the scheme designed specifically to illuminate the pitch area and minimise light spillage into residential areas and the other areas of the park. It is envisaged that these would be connected to the existing power supplies in the Park.

A study has been carried out by a specialist lighting company who have produced a detailed assessment of illumination levels. Their findings have been used to develop a scheme that provides a general level of 200 lux across the sports area using state of the art fittings supported on tubular steel columns. These have been keep low to minimise light pollution and focus light onto the playing surface. Layout plans showing the calculated levels of illumination are enclosed in support of the application. The operation of the lights will be linked to a time controlled unit to ensure

the facility is not used beyond the times agreed with the Local Authority. The design of the columns could allow them to be lowered for the servicing of the light fittings without the need for large vehicles entering the park. The colour of the columns will be a mid green paint finish to blend with the surrounding tree screen.

LANDSCAPE AND EXISTING PLANTING

The existing planting and trees that surround this section of the Park will be retained and provides an effective screen for the new facility. No trees or shrubs will be removed as a result of the scheme.

CARPARKING AND TRANSPORT

The use of cars to access the facility will be minimal. Fulham FC Community Sports Trust has two minibuses which will be used to transport participants. Other groups using the facility will be encouraged to do the same or use public transport.

The evening activity programme will mainly replicate the existing use by Touch Rugby thus eliminating any additional traffic. Touch Rugby currently use the facility on four evenings per week without inflicting any traffic problems on the local area. The availability of floodlighting will enable Touch Rugby to expand their programme into the winter months.

As this facility will be the only full size Astroturf pitch in the south of the borough it is anticipated that a large percentage of the participants will be from the local area and thus walk to the facility. The varied activity programme will give local people the opportunity to participate in multi-sports and for some it will be their first opportunity to play hockey and cricket.

Schools will also be key users of the facility and many are within walking distance. Minibuses can easily be accommodated along Stevenage Road in front of Craven Cottage and Stevenage Park with no effect on the residential parking. This part of Stevenage Road is currently the area used for match day coach parking.

PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IN THE PARK

The regeneration of the venue as a sporting facility will lead to a rise in footfall through the park as the use of public transport will be encouraged. The route from Putney Bridge underground station is of particular importance, however the capacity of the network of footpaths throughout the park is considered extensive and more than adequate for the numbers envisaged.

The Club believes the average numbers using the facility will between 30-40 people at any one time. This figure is based on one II a side match being played or three 6 a side matches running simultaneously.

CYCLE FACILITIES & PARKING

The existing cycle route through the park will not be affected by the proposed facility. Secure cycle parking will also be provided.

FLOOD PLAIN

The Bishops Park area is within part of the floodplain of the River Thames.

However, the new facilities will not significantly change the level of the existing ground so a flood risk assessment is not considered necessary as part of the application.

OPERATION OF THE FACILITY

Upon completion of the facility, it is proposed that Fulham FC Community Sports Trust will then run, manage and maintain the facility in conjunction with the Local Authority.

Both the changing rooms and the playing pitch will be secure areas with access controlled by Fulham FC Community Sports Trust staff. Whenever activity is taking place on the pitch there will be a member of Fulham FC Community staff present to oversee the event. Fulham FC Community staff will be responsible for opening the changing rooms and playing area in the morning and also for locking up both at night. The keys will be held in the Fulham FC security hut at the Hammersmith End of Stevenage Road.

The Parks Constabulary will be responsible for opening up and locking the entrance to the Park.

The facility will be used at core hours by local groups linked with Fulham FC Community Sports Trust. Outside of these hours the facilities would be available for use by members of the public and for hire by other groups with bookings made via the Local Authority or Fulham FC Community Sports Trust.

During winter months it is intended that the facility would be operated until 9pm in line with the park opening hours. A member of Fulham FC Community staff will

always be on site if activity is taking place on the pitch. If there is no activity the pitch and changing rooms will be locked.

Additional security is available from the Fulham Football Club staff based at the Craven Cottage. This is operated on a 24 hour basis and CCTV cameras could be used to increase security. Staff operating the facility would also work closely with the with the Parks Constabulary.

Operation of the proposed facility will not restrict general access to the riverside walk or any other area of the Park when the park is open to the public.

EMERGENCY ACCESS

Emergency vehicle access will be via the existing route at the south eastern end of the playing field area. Gates within the perimeter fencing around the pitch will also be provided.

MATCH DAY OPERATION

A separate matchday plan will be devised which will prevent further congestion in the park. These will be similar to the activities Fulham currently operate in Bishops Park on the day of a home match.

COMMUNITY USAGE

Fulham FC Community Sports Trust will manage the venue through two Football Development Officers and encourage sports participation in all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, disabilities, age, ability and economic position.

Fulham will liase closely with H&F Sports Development Team to produce an ongoing development programme plan.

Much of this activity programme is already being delivered but the opportunity for a flagship sporting facility in Bishops Park will enable the Fulham FC Community Sports Trust to expand the programme to include and benefit more participants within the Borough.

The Trust has dedicated Development Officers for Disabled People and also for the Hammersmith & Fulham Borough to increase our activities in these areas. The venue will also allow a new Crime Awareness initiative to be facilitated with the backing of the Hammersmith & Fulham Partnership Against Crime (HAFPAC).

The development of multi-sports is a fundamental part of the programme with the promotion of cricket, hockey and touch rugby a key objective to further the sporting participation of local children and young adults and ensure a healthy lifestyle.

Activity Programme

HISTORICAL AND LISTED ELEMENTS

The scheme has been developed to avoid any impact on the historical elements of the park.

WIND

A study has been carried out and this has concluded that the scheme will have no effect on the wind patterns around the site and the adjacent section of the River Thames.

CONSTRUCTION

The design of the proposal has been developed to minimise construction effects on the local environment wherever possible.

In the event that piling would be used for the floodlight bases these would be bored piles in preference to percussion or driven piles.

The adoption of prefabricated elements manufactured off site will also reduce site noise and insitu construction. Prefabrication will also mean relatively few men on site leading to fewer contractor's vehicles.

Noise will be further controlled by the insistence that the Contractor must work in accordance with the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and limit the effects of dust, noise etc These will be monitored throughout the construction in conjunction with the LA to ensure the road and paths would be kept clear and free from mud and waste materials.

Principles established under the permitted redevelopment scheme of the stadium would also be followed, with construction traffic no-go zones established in conjunction with the Local Authority in a number of the surrounding streets. Two way communication with vehicles is envisaged to further reduce congestion.

Unsightly contractors hutting would be kept to a minimum.

SDL 2005

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