Plans to turn Buckley community centre into mixed-use venue recommended for approval despite noise concerns

Plans to turn a community centre in Flintshire into a mixed-use venue have been recommended to go ahead despite neighbours raising noise concerns.

An application was submitted in April last year to make changes to Bistre Youth and Community Centre in Buckley.

It would result in a café being created in an unused section of the building, along with a micro bakery and sports changing area.

A covered sports hall would also be built in the grounds of the centre, which was previously home to a primary school.

A total of 13 objections have been raised against the proposals, with issues raised by residents including the impact on parking, the location of the sports hall and the potential for noise from the site late at night.

However, the scheme has now been backed for approval by Flintshire Council’s chief planning officer ahead of a meeting to decide on the development next week.

In a report, Andrew Farrow said: “The site currently has a variety of community uses, including use as a nursery, day centre and as a venue for Slimming World meetings, although these uses only utilise a portion of the school building.

“The proposal is for a range of uses occupying the existing building but also proposing a new building, namely a covered sports hall.

“In principle there is no objection to the range of uses proposed or the formation of a sports facility within the settlement boundary of the town, having regard to the sites existing use and its location.”

One resident claimed the new sports centre would be an “eyesore” and not in fitting with the surrounding area.

But Mr Farrow said he believed the scale of the new building would be appropriate for the location.

He added conditions would be attached if permission is granted to address concerns over noise.

He said: “Given the proximity of residential properties to the site, concerns over harm to general noise and disturbance has been raised, particularly as a result of noise and light pollution.

“It should be noted that the hall will have 40mm insulated walls to protect against noise pollution.

“The application has been supported by a noise impact assessment, the findings of which have been reviewed by the community and business protection service.

“One of the recommendations in the noise impact assessment is that the sports hall will be constructed from appropriate materials, which will aid with noise dampening.

“It would be appropriate to condition this to ensure that the facility is suitable for its location and would not give rise to unacceptable impacts upon neighbouring living conditions.”

He added the sports centre would shut at 9pm to minimise any disturbance to neighbours.

The proposals will be considered at a planning committee meeting being held on Wednesday (March 31, 2021).

Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).