Mid Ulster Sports Arena - Public Consultation

LANDS CIRCA 80M NORTH WEST OF 49 TULLYWIGGAN ROAD, WEST OF MID ULSTER SPORTS ARENA, EAST OF 15 TULLYWIGGAN COTTAGES AND SOUTH OF 38 TULLYWIGGAN ROAD, COOKSTOWN BT80 8SD

CREATION OF AN OUTDOOR RUNNING TRACK, FORMATION OF SPECTATOR VIEWING AREA, 3G SPORTS PITCH, ERECTION OF LIGHTING COLUMNS, ACCESS ALTERATIONS AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT

CONSULTATION MAGAZINE

MAY 2023

WELCOME

Welcome to this public consultation event hosted by Clyde Shanks Ltd on behalf of Mid Ulster District Council (MUDC).

This consultation has been prepared to inform and seek feedback from the local community and other interested parties concerning the proposed scheme to create:

“AN OUTDOOR RUNNING TRACK, FORMATION OF SPECTATOR VIEWING AREA, 3G SPORTS PITCH, ERECTION OF LIGHTING COLUMNS, ACCESS ALTERATIONS AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT”

The proposed development will take place at lands circa 80m north west of 49 Tullywiggan Road, west of Mid Ulster Sports Arena, east of 15 Tullywiggan Cottages and south of 38 Tullywiggan Road, Cookstown BT80 8SD

MID ULSTER SPORTS ARENA

INTRODUCTION

This public consultation event follows the submission of a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to MUDC in accordance with the Planning (General Development Procedures) Order Northern Ireland 2015 that formal planning applications will be submitted after the required 12 week notice period expires.

We warmly invite you to take time to absorb the work the applicant and their professional design/technical team have prepared to date to support the proposed development. The feedback received from this event will then be reflected upon and responded to in refining the detailed design as part of the planning application to MUDC.

MID ULSTER SPORTS ARENA

EXISTING SITE AND SURROUNDING CONTEXT

The Site

The site extends to an area of approximately circa 6.6ha, is mostly square shaped and is located entirely within the administrative boundary of MUDC.

The focus of the development is intended to be located adjacent to the existing MUSA that is accessed along Tullywiggan Road outside the settlement development limit of Cookstown. The site is currently a vacant greenfield site that rises in topography from east to west and is bounded by hedging on three sides but opens into the MUSA along the eastern boundary.

The Surroundings

The surrounding area to the north and east of the main section of the development site is within the demise of MUSA that includes existing sports facilities such as tennis courts, football pitches and changing facilities.

To the west of the site is the CAFRE Loughry Campus, while to the south is the DFI Roads and Rivers Agency headquarters.

View from inside MUSA towards west

View from MUSA car park towards west and eastern edge of development site

View of northern boundary of site

View of edge of site to east

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT

Section 45 (1) of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 requires that all planning applications have regard to the local development plan, so far as material to the application, and all other material

These have all been taken into account in developing the proposed scheme and a supporting statement articulating how these have been compiled with will accompany the planning application.

For example, policy OS3 of PPS 8 (Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation) relates to development proposals involving Outdoor Recreation in the Countryside.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

Design Progression

The applicant’s vision for the site is to create an attractive addition to the existing MUSA, through the formation of a complimentary community sports facility that integrates an 8 lane running track and 3g sports pitch with spectator area and lighting columns.

At the preliminary design stage this vision was characterised by a number of key design principles. These are as follows:

• Consideration of existing site levels and neighbouring land levels;

• The proposal to cater for all within the local and wider community;

• Integrate proposal with existing facilities;

• Allow proposal to be used throughout the year; and

• Include spectator area through land tiering.

NATURAL GRASS SLOPE WITH SPECTATOR VIEWING AREAS

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT Continued

Proposed Design

These principles were the starting point for the development of the initial design, along with the results of site surveys undertaken by the appointed environmental and technical consultants. The proposed design as shown in this consultation illustrates the proposal that best represents the needs of the community.

The collaborative design approach that has been undertaken with consultants has been essential to ensure the proposed scheme fulfils good design objectives and place making principles. The proposals as presented in this consultation incorporate the following elements:

• The facility will be designed (where appropriate) to the Building Control Regulations Technical Booklet Part R, and BS8300 : 1 : 2018 and BS8300 :2: 2018 and strive for best practice in accessible facility provision;

• Creation of a proposed a floodlit 3G synthetic pitch; and

• Creation of an 8no. lane running track.

Since the PAN was submitted to the Council, feedback has been received from DFI Roads confirming that based on a submitted Transport Assessment Form and survey data, access enhancements to deliver the proposal is not required.

CGI

MID ULSTER SPORTS ARENA

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Ecology

An ecologist has been appointed to provide advice on matters concerning any potential impact on protected flora and fauna at the site and if ecological mitigation will be required to address Planning Policy PPS 2 “Planning and Natural Heritage”.

Roads

A transport consultant has been appointed to advise on access and parking matters. The site and the surrounding lands have been accurately surveyed to assist in the design of any proposed enhancements to the existing vehicular access or if additional parking spaces are required by the development to address Planning Policy PPS3 “Acess, Movement and Parking.

Archaeology

A consultant has been appointed to advise on any potential impact from the scheme with regards to archaeology at the site to address the policies contained within planning policies and specifically PPS6 “Planning, Archaeology and Built Heritage”.

Drainage

Although the site is not within a floodplain, as the application site is over the threshold set out in PPS 15 in terms of area and because of this a full drainage

assessment is being undertaken by a drainage/flooding consultant. This assessment will analyse what drainage disposal is available and what is required for the site to deal with surface water.

Lighting

As part of the development a number of lighting columns are proposed. In order to ensure that the illuminance level of the lighting columns does not impact on protected species a lighting consultant has been employed to understand lighting levels. This consultant will work closely with the ecologist to ensure that no adverse impact is caused.

MID ULSTER SPORTS ARENA

HOW TO SHARE YOUR VIEWS

If attending the public consultation event you can leave your feedback with the member of staff in attendance. Or if considering the proposal using the online public consultation magazine, you can leave your feedback, raise questions or leave your contact details if you require further assistance on our website www.clydeshanks.com

You can also attend one of our virtual online public consultation events, which will take place via Microsoft Teams.

Should you wish to register for the digital information event please request this by emailing gavynsmyth@ clydeshanks.com on or before 10th May 2023.

If you wish to discuss the proposal or provide comment you can also do so by:

Telephone - 02890434393

Email - gavynsmyth@clydeshanks.com

Post – Clyde Shanks Ltd, 2nd Floor, 7 Exchange Place, Belfast, BT1 2NA

REQUEST PRINTED COPY

If you would like to receive a printed copy of this magazine, we can post this out to you on your request, accompanied with a feedback form.

DEADLINE

Please note all comments should be with Clyde Shanks Ltd no later than 17th May 2023.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

We thank-you for taking the time to attend this event and would be delighted if you would take the time to share your thoughts on what you have seen and read along with the prospect of the proposed development proceeding through planning.

Following your feedback taken from today’s event, this will be taken into consideration and the proposals finalised.

A formal planning application will be submitted to MUDC following the end of the 12 week notice period for public consultation.

Once submitted, the opportunity for further public engagement in the decision making process will take place in the normal manner through the submission of representations to the Council following the applications advertisement and neighbour notification procedures.