QUOTE (Lolly @ Aug 4 2016, 12:14 PM)
My gut feeling is that WBC didn't plan their development very well and/or thought that they could get around the NPPF policy regarding protection of playing fields without providing reasonable alternative provision.
https://www.sportengland.org/facilities-pla...ning-for-sport/Otherwise there's a time limit on commencing development on land that is being used ( or has previously been used) as a playing field and I think that's the crux of the issue here - I don't imagine the developers will want any timing restrictions on how they implement their planning permission. I imagine this would be highlighted in the agreement between the developer & WBC.
My personal opinion is that it's a real shame that redevelopment of the Football club, perhaps with additional sports facilities couldn't have been built into the development plans. It seems like a wasted opportunity - I'm sure on site sports facilities would be a selling point to residents of the proposed new flats & employees at the new business/retail facilities.
Totally agree! Just a little thought and what they think is a lemon could have been lemonade.