Councillor Andrew Curtin, Cabinet Member for Culture, Towns and Communities, introduced the report

It was explained that the development of a 5 a-side football Centre within the Borough had been a long standing objective of the Council.  The chosen site at King George’s Playing Fields had been designated as open space and as such there was a statutory duty for the Council to seek objections and representations to the grant of a lease of the land. 

The report before members detailed the process undertaken to satisfy statute in connection with the proposed grant of a 30 year lease to Playfootball Limited.

Reasons for the decision:

1. The Council had a statutory duty to consider objections raised to the ‘deemed disposal’ of land designated as open space.

2. At the deadline for objections only one was received.  This now required consideration by Cabinet.

3.   The matters raised by the objection were not considered to be serious enough to outweigh the benefits of the proposed development. Noise would be minimised as it would be located as far as possible from the residences at the perimeter and separate sign-posted car parking would be provided.

Other options considered:

Other locations have previously been considered for the proposed development and have been discounted.

Cabinet considered the objection raised and AGREED:

1          To proceed with the disposal of the open space by way of the lease to Playfootball Limited in view of the objection received