Yahoo News Plans to upgrade Hertfordshire football club's 'rotten' pavilion
A pavilion used by Chorleywood Common Youth FC is set to be upgraded after Three Rivers councillors voted to grant planning permission for the development. The club can now refurbish the inside of the building, add a small side extension for storage, replace the roof and introduce more windows for better views onto the football pitches.
Twenty seven members of the public wrote in support of the application, with no public objections. The club’s application said the current pavilion is “in a tired state” with “a leaking roof” and “rotten” timber.
“The proposals will ensure that CCYFC have a fit for purpose facility that is safe, warm, dry and welcoming for all, both new and existing members, along with visiting teams and officials,” it added.
READ MORE: Hertfordshire council CEO to retire 'early next year'
Chorleywood Parish Council said it “commends the design aspiration to improve a community asset”. But it also raised concerns that the refurbishment “could amount to inappropriate development in the Green Belt” because it will add hardstanding areas around the outside of the building.
According to documents submitted as part of the application, the hardstanding areas will be used to provide a covered seating area. Officers at Three Rivers District Council concluded that “the proposed paving is a functional amount and would not result in a harmful or urbanising impact”.
They found the pavilion was exempt from the normal criteria for determining Green Belt planning applications because it is an outdoor sport facility, and recommended that councillors vote to approve the application. The pavilion and pitches, at Chorleywood House Estate, are on land owned by Three Rivers District Council. The council’s planning committee unanimously voted in favour of granting planning permission on Thursday, November 7.
