Rugby club plan approved despite refusal advice
Just now
Anttoni James Numminen
Local Democracy Reporting Service
A major expansion of a North Yorkshire rugby club has been approved after councillors overturned a recommendation for refusal.
Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club's "centenary transformation", including a new 3G training pitch, spectator stand, additional padel court, rugby fives courts and clubhouse extension, has been given the go-ahead.
The decision came despite a recommendation from council officers that the padel court and rugby fives extension would impact open countryside and harm the landscape.
Derek Bastiman, one of the councillors who challenged the officers' suggestion, said the number of people who would benefit from the plans "runs into many hundreds per week."
A report to councillors said the proposed 3G pitch, spectator stand, terrace seating and clubhouse extension were acceptable in principle, according tothe Local Democracy Reporting Service.
But officers said the extra courts and rugby fives extension would extend further into the countryside and reduce landscaping that screens the club from nearby housing land.
The report said it was believed the harm to the landscape and a lack of evidence the facilities were needed there outweighed the community benefits.
However, independent councillor for Weaponness and Ramshill, Rich Maw highlighted the absence of objections from consultees.
He said: "Highways, no objection. Drainage, no objection. Ecology, no objection. Sport England, no objection. Tree officer supports it and environmental health, no objection in principle. Yet here we are with this recommendation."
The meeting was told the club, which already includes rugby pitches, squash courts, padel courts, a gym, café and clubhouse facilities, had received more than 60 letters of support during the consultation process.
A club representative said the proposal was aimed at "strengthening a long-established community sports facility that's been providing sporting, health and social benefits to local people for decades".
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the application.
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