Agenda item

The application was for the Installation and operation of a temporary ice rink and associated structures for a Christmas Market on the tennis court and old putting green areas to be held annually for a 5 year period (2016 to  January 2021) between November to January (including construction and dismantling periods) and open daily to the public until 9pm, excluding Christmas Day. To include a skate lodge/café/bar marquee, chalets/trader huts, children funfair rides, a bandstand, toilet trailers and ancillary floodlighting and festoon lighting, and perimeter fencing with pedestrian access off Grand Avenue and event traffic management measures. (Amended Plan - Rec'd 28/09/2016). (Additional information rec'd 06/10/2016).

This application had been reported to Committee because it is a Council sponsored event and it has also been called in by Cllr E Hawkins and Cllr Dougan. 

A site visit took place at the site.

Members received the following updates:

Paragraph 6.1

A total of 15 objections (i.e. from different households) have now been received. One objector comments the number of weeks the event is on is too long, otherwise these letters reiterate the concerns reported on pages 60 and 61 of the agenda.

Paragraph 7.7.2 (see also paragraphs 5.2 and 5.8)

The applicant has now provided a Waste Management Plan. The Environment Health Officer (EHO) supports this plan provided that the bins adhere to the Council colour scheme for collections, the skip for general waste are covered and location of the waste to be taken is provided. The EHO has agreed that this can be secured by informative.

Further details have also been provided on the freezing process and ice disposal, summarised below:

• The antifreeze (glycol) is contained entirely within the pump system. At least 5 days before the rink is ready to open the system would be filled and the process to create ice would happen
• The glycol is watered down and not a neat chemical. With the rink being bunded the likelihood of large quantities pouring away are next to nil.
• During use of the rink the ice dump volumes would not be more than 1,000L per day in snow scraped off the ice. The dump is located on the east side of the rink and water run off can be to this point.
• The only water would be from an on-site hosepipe and as none of the water/ice would be contaminated no containment is required for the small quantities of run-off and there would be no requirement to discharge into the foul system
• When the rink is de-rigged the ice can be melted quickly within 24 hours by heating the glycol or melted slowly by just turning the system off and allowing melting over several days.

The EHO and Council’s Drainage Engineer support these details. The Drainage Engineer advises that in the event that the melting process is unmanned then the longer melt process ought to be employed to minimise risk. The applicant has confirmed that the melting process would be manned.

Amended conditions

10. The footprint produced by artificial lighting of the application site shall not extend into the curtilage of any adjacent residential property; and, no lighting associated with the development, other than security lighting (the specifics of which shall be agreed with the Council’s Environmental Health Department at least 14 days prior to the setting up of each annual event), shall operate outside the hours of 09:00 and 21:30, unless required for emergency purposes.

Reason: as per agenda

11. Delete the word ‘ broadly’

13. The applicant shall arrange a site meeting with the Council’s Tree Officer at least 7 days prior to the setting up of each annual event for the Officer to confirm and agree the correct positioning of tree protection fencing which shall be chestnut pale fencing supported by tree stakes. Thereafter the protection shall be retained throughout the period of operation.       

Reason: as per agenda.

Amended informatives

1. Insert additional final sentence to state, ‘…The applicant will need to provide details to angela.goddard@surreycc.gov.uk at least 21 days prior to implementation.’

2. Amend last sentence to state ‘…The local background levels will need to be agreed with the Council’s Environment Health Department at least 28 days prior to the premises being opened to the public.’

Additional informative

3. The applicant is advised that the bins ought to adhere to the Council’s colour scheme for collections and that the skip for general waste be covered. The applicant is requested to advise the Council’s Environmental Health Department of the destination as to where the waste will be transported to, at least 28 days prior to the premises being opened to the public.’

There was some concern regarding the noise that would be generated by live music, fairground rides and plant equipment and the responsibility for monitoring this. There were also concerns regarding whether the traffic management plan would be ready in time for the opening of the event, particularly with the proposed changes in traffic movement on Southwell Park Road.

Members were advised that an independent company would be used to monitor noise and the County Highways Authority had raised no objection to the changes to the traffic movement. The traffic management plan had already been submitted in draft form and there were minor changes to be made.

Some Members felt that the retail units at the site would take custom from the High Street whereas others felt the event would attract more customers into Camberley.

Some Members were concerned that the application was for a five year period and should the event cause problems for residents, it may be difficult to address this.  Officers advised that the premises licence could be reviewed to address any concerns.

Condition 9 of the report stated that there would be no delivery and service vehicles in operation between 23.00 hours and 7.30 hours on any day.  Members felt that the times in this condition should be amended to 21.00 hours to 7.30 hours.

Resolved that application 16/0814 be approved subject to conditions as set out in the report of the Executive Head – Regulatory and the amendment condition 9 to ‘there would be no delivery and service vehicles in operation between 21.00 hours and 7.30 hours on any day.   

Note 1

Councillor Colin Dougan declared an interest as he lived close to the site and he left the Chamber during the consideration of the application.

It was noted for the record that Cllrs Valerie White and Ruth Hutchinson declared that they had been members of the Licensing Sub Committee which had considered the premises licence application for this site.

It was noted for the record that Councillor Edward Hawkins declared that he had been present at part of the Licensing Sub Committee meeting where the applicant’s premises licence had been considered.

Note 2

As the application had triggered the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme, Mr Alan Kirkland and Mr Chris MacDonald, representing the Southwell Park Residents’ Association, spoke in objection.  Mr James Hitchens, the agent spoke in support.

Note 3

The recommendation to approve the application was proposed by Councillor Edward Hawkins and seconded by Councillor Vivienne Chapman.

Note 4

In accordance with Part 4, Section D, paragraph 18 of the Constitution, the voting in relation to the application was as follows:

Voting in favour of the recommendation to approve the application:

Councillors Dan Adams, Nick Chambers, Vivienne Chapman, Edward Hawkins, Ruth Hutchinson, Jonathan Lytle, Katia Malcaus Cooper, David Mansfield, Adrian Page, Robin Perry, Ian Sams. Conrad Sturt, and Valerie White.

Voting against the recommendation to approve the application:

Councillor  Pat Tedder