Proposed Extension to SportPark to Create a Fourth Pavillion - Planning Statement Loughborough University
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Proposed Extension to SportPark to Create a Fourth Pavillion Loughborough University Planning Statement March 2021
Loughborough University – SportPark extension Planning Statement Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3 2. The Site and Surrounding Area ................................................................................................................... 8 3. The Proposals ................................................................................................................................................ 9 4. The Development Plan and Other Material Considerations ................................................................. 10 5. Assessment and Technical Considerations ............................................................................................. 16 6. Conclusions .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Prepared By: Gemma Hiden, Associate and Tim Evans, Director March 2021 For and on behalf of Avison Young (UK) Limited March 2021 Page: 2
Loughborough University – SportPark extension Planning Statement
1. Introduction
Background
1.1 Avison Young is instructed by Loughborough University (hereafter referred to as “the University”) to
prepare this Planning Statement in support of a planning application for an extension to the
SportPark building by way of the addition of a fourth pavilion. SportPark is located within the
Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP). Further detail on the proposals is set
out at Section 3.0 of this Statement.
1.2 The description of development is:
“Erection of an extension to the SportPark office building, creation of a grasscrete access/turning area
and associated works.”
Loughborough University
1.3 Loughborough is a top flight University and can claim special distinction in the quality of its teaching,
its international-recognised research, business innovation, and its world renowned sporting
excellence. The University supports a student population of approximately 18,500 and as at
December 2020 the University employed 3,651 staff in full and part time roles.
1.4 The University is ranked seventh in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021, of
which it was first in four subject tables. It was also ranked seventh in The Guardian University Guide
2021. Globally the University has been ranked the best university in the world for sports-related
subjects every year since 2017 by QS World University Rankings. The University has also won seven
Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for research excellence.
1.5 The University can be commended also for its focus on the quality of ‘place’ created by the campus,
and its desire to maintain a functional and inspiring environment across its 440 acre campus. This is
teamed with an exceptional track record of fostering enterprise and innovation, both through links
with industry and business, the University’s own incubation hub The Studio, and LUSEP, which is
located to the immediate west of the campus.
1.6 Loughborough’s reputation for sport is well known and makes it the natural home for elite sportsmen
and sportswomen. In addition, the University has strong links with various national governing bodies
and accommodates a number of world class training and performance facilities as part of the English
Institute of Sport Network, including many at SportPark.
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LUSEP
1.7 In 2001, the University completed a comprehensive review of its Estate Strategy. this review was
informed by an assessment of the campus which indicated that:
a) University building stock was predominately in good physical condition;
b) Almost a quarter of the buildings were unsuitable in functional terms;
c) The majority of unsuitable buildings, or those in poor physical condition, were located within the
Central and East Park areas of the campus.i
1.8 The review concluded that the University needed to:
a) Undertake a detailed space need assessment;
b) Prepare a Masterplan for the campus, focussing initially on East Park; and,
c) Investigate the feasibility of acquiring additional land and buildings to allow for expansion over
the medium to long-term.
1.9 In 2003, and in line with the recommendations of the 2011 review, the University acquired from
Advantica the Gas Research and Training Centre (GRTC) immediately to the west of the campus. The
GRTC was constructed by British Gas in 1990 and provides some 54,000 sq.m (452,000 sq.ft) of built
floorspace. The University acquired interests in surrounding land also (extending to Snells Nook
Lane), with the total holding extending to approximately 66ha (160 acres). The GRTC and surrounding
land is known as Holywell Park or LUSEP Phase 1.
1.10 During 2004 and 2005, the University’s Estate Strategy was updated and consideration given to its
long-term space/development requirements. Amongst other things, those updates confirmed the
need to further enhance the University’s research offer and its links with Industry. This, it determined,
required the University to focus on developing proposals for the land to the west of the main campus.
As a consequence, illustrative masterplans were prepared and, during the early part of 2007, the
University, with assistance from the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) completed the
acquisition of land formerly owned by 3M fronting Ashby Road. The University estate now extends to
about 176ha (435 acres) and contains approximately 219,000 sq.m (2.4m sq.ft) of built floorspace.
1.11 In the light of the 3M acquisition, the earlier acquisition of the former GRTC, work done on space and
business planning, and interest being expressed in the development/expansion of the Science and
Enterprise Park, the University made an application for planning permission to Charnwood Borough
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Council for the development of LUSEP Phase 2, in 2007. The planning application proposed the
development of the remaining 6.5ha (16 acres) of the 34ha (84 acres) of land allocated for Science
Park uses in the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan (2004) plus the development of an additional
4.2ha (10.37 acres) of land immediately to the west of the allocated land. The Borough Council
granted planning permission for the development of LUSEP Phase 2, comprising some 43,280 sq.m
(gross) of new commercial floorspace within use Class B1 in June 2012 (LPA Ref: P/07/2740/2).
1.12 During the determination of the outline planning application for the expansion of LUSEP, the
University made a standalone application for detailed (full) planning permission for the erection of
SportPark, which was approved in March 2008 (LPA Ref: P/07/3548/2).
1.13 Since then it has made a series of reserved matters submissions for the development of two other
buildings on LUSEP Phase 2, these are a 3,032 sq.m building for the University’s Advanced Technology
and Innovation Centre (ATIC) which was approved in November 2015 (LPA Ref: P/151756/2); and, a
circa 9,500 sq.m office building for the Access Group (an existing LUSEP tenant) which was approved
in September 2018 (LPA Ref: P/18/0152/2).
1.14 The University also successfully promoted the allocation of an additional 77ha of land (comprising
35ha of land up to Snells Nook Lane owned by the University and 42ha of land beyond it which was at
the time controlled, under option, by Wilson Bowden) through the Charnwood Core Strategy Review
to allow for the further expansion of LUSEP (Phases 3 and 4). The University acquired the land to the
west of Snells Nook Lane in December 2019.
1.15 LUSEP is now one of the largest science parks in the country and it is currently home to over 85
companies, employing approximately 2,500 people. LUSEP also lies at the heart of Loughborough and
Leicester’s Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone.
SportPark Occupants and Purpose
1.16 SportPark was opened in 2010 and provides high quality office space, within LUSEP Phase 2, for many
of the country’s top sports’ governing bodies and national sports organisations. Current occupiers
include British Swimming, England Cricket Board, England Squash, and the English Federation of
Disability Sport, amongst others.
1.17 Co-location is designed to encourage partnership working and collaboration. There are also
substantial benefits for occupiers from co-locating adjacent to LUSEP’s wider innovation community,
athletes, and the University itself, with its expertise in sports science, engineering and health and
wellbeing.
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1.18 SportPark is currently fully let and in August 2020, expansion of SportPark was announced as part of
the Government’s Getting Building Fund, for ‘shovel ready’ infrastructure projects. The scheme was
one of four projects supported by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership bid for
Government funding. The additional pavilion will provide an additional 1,569 sqm of office, 130 sqm
of ancillary and 305 sqm of circulation/ plant floorspace and is anticipated to support 150 staff.
Further detail on the proposals is set out at Section 3.0 of this Statement.
Pre-Application Consultation
1.19 Avison Young and the University have been holding discussions with Officers of the Borough Council
about the University’s options for extending SportPark for the best part of 18 months. Most recently
we held informal pre-application discussions with the Council’s Development Management Team
Leader Jacqueline Jackson in December 2020, during which we shared with her David Morley
Architects concept proposals for the new fourth pavilion.
1.20 In summary we were advised that Officers were content that the scale, massing and design of the
extension complement the existing building and that it would sit comfortably within its surroundings;
the stepping down of the fourth pavilion would reflect the symmetry of the building in views from
Oakwood Drive and elsewhere within LUSEP; the University should take steps to ensure that the
proposal would not impact on the site’s ecology; the proposal should make adequate provision for
landscaping and that the scheme of landscaping should follow the principles of the original
landscaping scheme for SportPark; and, the University should assure itself that the proposals would
be acceptable from a flood risk and drainage perspective.
The Submission
1.21 In addition to this Planning Statement, this planning application is supported by the following
information:
• Architectural plans
• Design and Access Statement prepared by David Morley Architects
• Transport Note prepared by Tetra Tech
• Flood Risk and Drainage Strategy prepared by Avison Young
• Ecological Appraisal prepared by FPCR
• Arboricultural Assessment prepared by FPCR
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• Ground Investigation Report prepared by Castle Rock Geotech
Structure of this Statement
1.22 The remainder of this statement is structured as follows:
• Section 2.0 describes the site and surrounding area.
• Section 3.0 describes the proposals in more detail.
• Section 4.0 reviews the relevant content of the adopted Development Plan and considers
other relevant material considerations, including national policy.
• Section 5.0 provides our assessment of the proposals, as well as a summary of technical and
environmental matters.
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2. The Site and Surrounding Area
2.1 The application site is located within Loughborough University’s Science and Enterprise Park, to the
west of, and adjacent to the main University Campus. It is bounded to the north by Ashby Road
(A512), the east by Holywell Way and to the south by Oakwood Drive. The western boundary of the
site is marked by an area of landscaping, beyond it is the ATIC Building. The site extends to 2.31 ha. All
of the land is owned by the University and it already benefits from both outline and full planning
permission for Class B1(a) office use.
2.2 SportPark comprises three interlinked 3, 4 and 5 storey pavilions which rise in height, with each
pavilion taller than the last from north to south. The building provides approximately 4,000 sqm of
office space, a large café at ground floor, together with parking space for 169 vehicles (including 8
accessible parking spaces), a dedicated cycle store/plant room and ancillary landscaping (including a
MUGA). SportPark is accessed via an existing barrier controlled entrance off Oakwood Drive. There is
a separate exit point for vehicles further to the west, also via Oakwood Drive. Pedestrians can access
the site via both Holywell Way and Oakwood Drive.
2.3 The building is of a modern design, having opened in 2010, and uses a pallette of modern materials
including glazing, metal and terracotta cladding, curtain walling, concrete panels, architectural fins,
and louvres. The building is designed to BREEAM ‘very good’ rating and incorporates ground source
heat pumps, window controls for daylight and ventilation, and screens and doors to minimise noise
levels, to improve its sustainability credentials.
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3. The Proposals
3.1 The planning application proposes the addition of a fourth, 4 storey, linked pavilion to the existing
SportPark building. The development will create 1,569 sqm (GIA) of additional office floorspace. The
new pavilion will be connected to the existing building via a link, which will contain office/meeting
space and plant/circulatory space. The new pavilion has been designed and positioned so as to
enable the new offices to be seamlessly integrated with and accessed via the existing building.
3.2 The proposed pavilion will be approximately 14.3 m high. It has been designed so that it steps down
from the pavilion immediately to the north of it, which is some 17.6m high. Essentially, the new fourth
pavilion will be the same height as and mirror SportPark pavilion 2. The proposed extension extends
to 33m in length and is 12m wide. It has been designed to complement the style, character and
massing of the existing building. The stepping down of the new pavilion is intended to provide the
building with a degree of symmetry in views from Oakwood Drive.
3.3 The proposed extension has been designed in such a way that it matches into the existing building
and to also respond to the principles of Passivhaus. The external cladding materials replicate those as
existing including aluminium curtain walling; ribbon windows; terracotta rain-screen cladding;
lovures; masonry cladding panels; a brise soleil system; and vertical metal solar and glare control
aerofoil fins.
3.4 In addition, a new reinforced grasscrete, fire access route is proposed alongside the proposed new
pavilion which will allow fire tenders to gain access to the rear of the building in the event of a
fire/emergency. It will be planted with meadow mix, so that the grass appears seamless with its
surroundings. The University has taken appropriate steps to ensure that the amount of landscaping
within the site meets the provisions of condition imposed on the outline planning permission for
LUSEP.
3.5 To provide clarity, the University is not intending to make any changes to the existing vehicular
access/egress to the site, or the car park arrangements.
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4. The Development Plan and Other Material Considerations
4.1 This section outlines the principal planning policies at both local and national level that are relevant to
the consideration of this planning application. It also notes any other material considerations that will
need to be considered in the decision-making process.
The Development Plan
4.2 Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 says that planning applications must
be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Development Plan unless material
considerations indicate otherwise. In this instance, the development plan for Charnwood consists of
the Charnwood Local Plan, which was adopted in 2015 and the saved elements of the Borough of
Charnwood Local Plan, adopted in January 2004.
Charnwood Local Plan (2015)
4.3 The Charnwood Local Plan (CLP) was adopted on 9 November 2015. The CLP sets out the strategy for
growth within the Borough up to 2028.
4.4 A number of polices are relevant to the proposals, as follows:
• Policy CS2 which sets out the design requirements for new development within the Borough.
It states that development must incorporate high quality and inclusive design which responds
positively to its context, having regard to scale, density, massing, layout and so on.
• Policy CS6 which supports development to meet economic needs, in particular an expansion
of the Science and Enterprise Park and of knowledge based businesses.
• Policy CS13 of the Plan which seeks to ensure that development proposals do not impact
adversely on ecology, biodiversity, or geodiversity.
• Policy CS16 which provides that the Borough Council will encourage sustainable design and
construction and the provision of renewable energy, where it does not make development
unviable. As relevant here, the policy states that the Council will achieve this by:
- encouraging developments that are carbon efficient;
- requiring DASs for major developments to demonstrate how the need to reduce
emissions has influenced the design and layout and energy sources used;
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- supporting development that reduces waste and provides for suitable storage of
waste and allow convenient waste collections;
- encouraging non-residential development to achieve the equivalent of BREEAM 3
credits for water consumption, as a minimum;
- encouraging green roofs, walls and increased tree cover to minimise the impacts of
the ‘heat island’ effect;
- encouraging the effective use of land by reusing land that has been previously
developed;
- directing development to locations that are at the lowest risk of flooding and
supporting developments which reduce flood risk elsewhere; and,
- requiring developments to reduce surface water run-off.
• Policy CS17 which provides that by 2028, the Council will seek to achieve a 6% shift from travel
by private car to walking, cycling and public transport by:
- requiring new major developments to provide walking, cycling and public transport
access to key facilities and services;
- requiring new major developments to provide safe and well-lit streets and routes for
walking and cycling that are integrated with the wider green infrastructure network;
and
- assessing the impact of major developments through Transport Assessments and
Travel Plans.
Borough of Charnwood Local Plan (2004)
4.5 The Charnwood Local Plan was adopted in January 2004. In 2007 a number of policies were ‘saved’ by
the Secretary of State, however the majority of these have since been superseded through the
adoption of the Local Plan Core Strategy. Those policies that remain ‘saved’ as are relevant to the
University’s proposals are considered below.
4.6 SportPark is allocated within the LUSEP and therefore Policy E/4 applies. The Policy states:
“In the determination of applications for development within the Loughborough Science Park, the Borough
Council will take into account, in particular, the following considerations:
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i. all buildings shall be used for the following purposes only:
a) any use falling within Class B1 (b) of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987;
OR;
b) any use falling within Class B1 (a) or B1 (c) which also has either:
a special need to be located close to the University or other research facilities on the site or
elsewhere in Loughborough; or
is otherwise directly or functionally related to the University or other research facilities on the site
or elsewhere in Loughborough.
ii. the overall development of the park should not exceed a gross floorspace of 92,900m2 with
approximately 50% of the site area being retained and landscaped to create a parkland setting;
iii. buildings and other structures shall be constructed to a high standard of external appearance with
extensive landscaping;
iv. service yards shall be well screened and no external storage shall be permitted;
v. existing woodland, trees and other natural features within and adjacent to the site shall be conserved
and enhanced to sustain and improve their wildlife habitat and amenity value;
vi. it can be demonstrated that measures will be taken to maximise the potential for access to the site by
walking, cycling and public transport.
The Borough Council will seek to negotiate reasonably related contributions towards the implementation of
measures to improve the transport choice potential of the site in the form of:
a) improved bus stops and information, bus priority measures, in particular a bus only link between
Kirkstone Drive and the A512, and contributions to services;
b) continuous and direct cycle and pedestrian links to the site from housing areas.
A package of measures will be required as part of the implementation of the development which
significantly reduces the use of private cars to and from the development. This will provide measures and
facilities to encourage walking, cycling transport for occupiers jointly or separately.”
4.7 Policy EV/1 seeks to ensure a high standard of design in new development and advises that proposals
need to consider the following criteria:
• the need to respect and enhance the local environment;
• the design, layout, scale and mass of the development is compatible with the locality and the
neighbouring buildings and spaces;
• the materials used are appropriate to the locality;
• provides positive and attractive built frontages to existing or proposed public spaces;
• the safeguarding of important viewpoints, landmarks and skylines;
• how development uses the landform and existing features in and around the site;
• the safeguarding of amenities of adjoining properties, particularly the privacy and light
enjoyed by adjoining residential areas;
March 2021 Page: 12Loughborough University – SportPark extension Planning Statement
• the needs of all groups, including the disabled’; and
• minimising the opportunity for crime to create a safe and secure environment.
Other Material Considerations
National Planning Policy Framework 2019
4.8 The NPPF was published in February July 2018 and revised in February 2019. The Framework sets out
national planning policy and Government priorities for planning in England.
4.9 At the heart of the NPPF is the presumption in favour of sustainable development. In defining
sustainable development, paragraph 8 states that achieving sustainable development means that the
planning system has three overarching objectives: an economic objective; a social role and an
environmental objective. It describes the economic role as:
“to help build a strong, responsive and competitive economy, by ensuring that sufficient land of the
right types is available in the right places and at the right time to support growth, innovation and
improved productivity; and by identifying and coordinating the provision of infrastructure…”
4.10 At paragraph 11, the NPPF states that the presumption in favour of sustainable development means:
“c) Approving development proposals that accord with the Development Plan without delay; and
d) Where there are no relevant development plan policies or the policies which are most important
for determining the application are out-of-date, granting permission unless:
i. The application of policies in this Framework that protect areas or assets of particular
importance provides a clear reason for refusing the development proposed; or
ii. Any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the
benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole.”
4.11 Footnote 6 to paragraph 11i identifies designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),
Green Belt, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) etc. None of these designations are
relevant in this instance.
4.12 The Government’s policies for building a strong and competitive economy are contained in Section 6
of the NPPF. At paragraph 80 it states:
“Planning policies and decisions should help create the conditions in which businesses can invest,
expand and adapt. Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth
and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for
development.” [our emphasis]
4.13 While paragraph 82 makes it clear that:
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“Planning policies and decisions should recognise and address the specific locational requirements
of different sectors.”
4.14 Insofar as transport matters are concerned, the Framework encourages development to locations
that benefit from a choice of transport options; where safe and suitable access to the site can be
achieved for all users and, any significant impacts from the development on the transport network (in
terms of capacity and congestion), or on highway safety, can be cost-effectively mitigated to an
acceptable degree. Paragraph 109 states that “Development should only be prevented or refused on
highways grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative
impacts on the road network would be severe.”
4.15 The Framework’s policies on design are contained within Section 12. These note that the creation of
high quality buildings and places are fundamental to what the planning and development process
should achieve and state that “good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better
places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities.”
4.16 Paragraph 131 goes on to state that:
“In determining applications, great weight should be given to outstanding or innovative designs
which promote high levels of sustainability, or help raise the standard of design more generally in
an area, so long as they fit in with the overall form and layout of their surroundings. “
4.17 The Framework’s policies on conserving and enhancing the natural environment are contained in
Section 15. Paragraph 170 sets out that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and
enhance the natural and local environment by (inter alia): minimising impacts on and providing net
gains for biodiversity; preventing new and existing development from contributing to, or being
adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability; and
remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where
appropriate.
Emerging Local Plan
4.18 The Council is in the process of preparing a new Local Plan, the Draft Charnwood Local Plan 2019-
2036. The Council consulted on the draft Plan from November to December 2019. It is understood
that the next round of public consultation will take place in the next month, with adoption of the draft
Plan therefore anticipated in early 2022. On the current programme, the Local Plan will not provide a
policy framework to which any weight can be attached for some considerable time.
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Planning History
4.19 The planning history of an application site, and/or adjacent land, is capable of being a material
consideration, which must be weighed in the balance when a Local Authority makes planning
decisions. In this instance, the planning history of both the application site and LUSEP are considered
to be of relevance to the Council’s assessment of this planning application.
4.20 The principle of science park use on the land within which SportPark is located was established by the
granting of an outline planning permission in June 2012 (P/07/2740/2). That consent contained a
condition which limited development to uses within Classes B1(b) and uses within B1(a) and B1(c) of
the Use Classes Order which could demonstrate a direct and functional link with the University, or
with any other research institution in the town. Crucially it also established that the additional traffic
generated by an additional 43,000 sqm of floorspace would not give rise to any severe adverse
impacts for the local or strategic road networks. Moreover, that consent also contained a condition
which placed a requirement on the University to ensure that each new building or phase of
development provides at least 40% on plot landscaping.
4.21 The grant of planning permission, in March 2008, for the existing SportPark building established that
the principle of Class B1(a) office (now Class E) use was acceptable in this location. It also confirms
that the Council was satisfied with that the scale siting and massing of the existing SportPark building
was acceptable.
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5. Assessment and Technical Considerations
Principle of Development
5.1 The Local Plan provides that this land shall be developed as a Science and Enterprise Park. Policy E/4
defines the development by reference to a range of use class and physical limitations. Subject to it
satisfying these limitations, the proposed development will be in accordance with the provisions of
the development plan and unless other material considerations indicate that the proposals should
not be allowed to proceed, planning permission should be granted in line with Section 38 of the
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
5.2 Policy E/4 limits the use of buildings within the site to Class B1(b) (research and development), and
B1(a) (offices) and B1(c) (light industry) where such uses would have links to the University or other
research businesses on site or in the town.
5.3 The proposed SportPark building and the proposed extension are currently / will be occupied by the
governing bodies of national sporting Institutions, all of which would have links to the University. We
are content therefore that the proposed development would satisfy the requirements of the Policy
E/4.
Floorspace
5.4 Criterion 2 of Policy E/4 aims to create a high quality, low density, Science Park development within a
parkland setting, by restricting the overall gross floorspace to no more than 92,900 sq.m with
approximately 50% of the site area being set aside for landscaping. The landscaping requirement
expressed in Policy E/4 was superseded by the granting of outline planning permission for expansion
of LUSEP in 2012. This placed a requirement on the University to set aside at least 40% of the site for
landscaping.
5.5 The first phase of the Science and Enterprise Park development created around 46,500 sq.m of
floorspace. The 2012 planning permission for the expansion of LUSEP facilitated the development of
an additional 25,000 sq.m of floorspace, taking the overall total on LUSEP Phases 1 and 2 to 67,000
sq.m. The amount of floorspace created by this development, the existing SportPark building, ATIC
and the Access Building come well under the floorspace limit specified in Policy E/4.
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Design and Layout
5.6 The accompanying Design and Access Statement describes the contextual analysis that has
underpinned the proposals and explains how the proposed design, scale and massing and layout
responds to its surroundings and the opportunities and constraints presented by the site itself.
5.7 In summary, the proposals are of a design and scale that is inkeeping with the existing building design
and the new building has been designed specifically to provide a degree of symmetry with the
existing building in views from Oakwood Drive / LUSEP. The proposed pavilion steps down in height
from pavilion 3, such that no new considerations of scale or massing arise from the proposals.
5.8 We therefore consider that the proposals will accord with Policies EV/1 and CS2.
Access, Highways and Accessibility
5.9 No alterations are proposed to the existing vehicular access / egress arrangements for SportPark.
5.10 The application is accompanied by a Transport Note which has been prepared by Tetra Tech (formerly
WYG) which considers highway capacity and concludes that the proposals will not result in any severe
impacts on the surrounding highway network.
5.11 The Note also considers existing and proposed car parking arrangements. It notes that when
SportPark was developed the University implemented a strategy whereby SportPark permit holders
and visitors could park either within the dedicated parking area within SportPark, or in the event that
this car park was full, alternative provision would be made available at other nearby car parks
(Holywell Park and the multi-storey car park on the opposite side of Holywell Way (Car Park 1)),
subject to a parking priority arrangement.
5.12 The Note goes on to confirm that travel surveys recently undertaken by the University have shown a
reduction in the demand for parking spaces at SportPark due to lower occupancy levels as a result of
Covid. Given existing tenants and the future occupiers of the extension have indicated that they do
not anticipate returning to pre-Covid staffing levels any time soon, this trend is likely to continue for
the foreseeable future (both with SportPark tenants and other LUSEP tenants). This being the case the
University is of the view that the overall demand for parking spaces at SportPark and elsewhere at
LUSEP is likely to reduce considerably in the short to medium term.
5.13 With the above in mind, the University does not intend to provide any additional parking provision
within the existing SportPark site for the new tenants and instead it will ensure that sufficient
dedicated spaces are made available within Holywell Park car park and Car Park 1 to satisfy the
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additional demands that are likely to arise from the new tenants (in the event that they can’t be
satisfied within the SportPark car park in the first instance). This approach will also help the
University to meet its travel planning and car park management strategy obligations for SportPark by
driving down the number of journeys made to the site by single occupancy vehicles.
5.14 The parking situation will however, be closely monitored by the University, as part of its annual Travel
to Work surveys and alternatives will be put in place in the event that the existing strategy is found
not to work.
5.15 Given the site is well served by the existing Campus Shuttle Service (with the closest stop being
located on Holywell Way, within walking distance of the site) and can also be easily accessed by a
range of other sustainable modes, we consider that the proposals comply with Policy CS17.
Sustainability
5.16 The proposals have been designed to Passivhaus principles, which seek to provide a large reduction
in operational energy and to bring the extension as close to zero carbon as possible through the
fabric of the building. Detailed thermal simulation has also been undertaken to ensure that the
building performs well in both summer and winter conditions. Use of photovoltaic panels on the roof
will also supplement the energy efficiency of the design. Further detail is provided within Section 5 of
the Design & Access Statement.
5.17 The proposal will therefore accord with and indeed positively promote the objectives of Policy CS16 of
the Core Strategy.
Flood Risk and Drainage
5.18 A Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy has been prepared by Avison Young. It sets out that
having regard to the Environment Agency’s Flood Map for Planning, the site is within Flood Zones 1, 2
and 3. However, having undertaken a flood modelling study, the site actually falls outside of the 1 in
1000 year flood outline, such that the overall flood risk to the site is low.
5.19 The Assessment also confirms that the existing surface water drainage system was designed with
provision for Pavilion 4 and thus the proposals will connect into the existing network. Accordingly the
site can be adequately drained.
March 2021 Page: 18Loughborough University – SportPark extension Planning Statement
Ecology
5.20 FPCR has undertaken an Ecological Appraisal of the site. A report on their findings is submitted in
support of the application. The Appraisal confirms that the proposed extension to SportPark will not
impact on any national or local statutory habitats, or on any protected species.
5.21 Moreover, it indicates that the application site comprises predominantly low value, species-poor
amenity grassland which has only limited biodiversity value. The site’s features of greater ecological
value are all located around its perimeter and in particular along the site’s northern and eastern
boundaries. The proposal does not contemplate the removal of any of the features of significant
ecological value and we conclude therefore that the development wouldn’t give rise to any conflict
with the provisions of national or local planning policy.
5.22 The University will however keep the situation under review through its annual
Arboriculture and Landscaping
5.23 Insofar as landscaping is concerned, an underlying objective of the University, throughout the
masterplanning process for LUSEP and its detailed proposals for SportPark, has been to create a
science park within a parkland setting in accordance with criteria of Policy E/4. As the DAS
demonstrates, approximately 72% of the SportPark site is given over to landscaping. In this respect,
the proposals would be wholly in accordance with the development plan, also.
5.24 The application is accompanied by an Arboricultural Assessment, prepared by FPCR. It confirms that
the proposal would not result in the loss of any of the existing, high quality mature specimen trees
from with the site. Further detail is provided within the Arboricultural Assessment prepared by FPCR.
5.25 The proposal will, however, necessitate the removal of a small area of shrubbery. In addition, the
proposals incudes the creation of an area of reinforced grasscrete to the side of the new pavilion to
enable fire access to the rear of the building. These areas are to be sown with meadow seed mix,
which will improve the overall quality of the landscape within the site. Please refer to the Proposed
Building Landscape Plan for further detail.
5.26 We therefore consider the proposals accord with Policy E/4 and Core Strategy Policies CS2 and CS13.
March 2021 Page: 19Loughborough University – SportPark extension Planning Statement
Ground Conditions
5.27 A Ground Investigation Report has been prepared by Castle Rock Geotech. The report notes that the
site is not contaminated and therefore ground conditions are not a constraint to development of the
site. We therefore consider that the proposals accord with Policy CS13.
March 2021 Page: 20Loughborough University – SportPark extension Planning Statement
6. Conclusions
6.1 The University’s proposals are fully compliant with the development plan and there are no technical
or environmental constraints that cannot be overcome. Furthermore, the expansion of SportPark in
the manner proposed will make a significant contribution to the achievement of various objectives of
national and local planning policy.
6.2 The expansion of SportPark is a unique opportunity - it is the best possible location for sport’s
governing bodies reliant on proximity to the University. It is therefore capable of delivering very
significant socio-economic benefits as well as assisting the University’s objectives of becoming a world
class sports institution.
6.3 In the light of the analysis presented in this Statement and the various other documents presented in
support of the application, the University considers that there is a compelling case for a grant of
planning permission and it would be grateful if the application could be determined positively as soon
as practicable.
March 2021 Page: 21Contact Details Enquiries Tim Evans Tim.evans@avisonyoung.com Visit us online avisonyoung.co.uk Avison Young 3 Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2JB © 2021 Avison Young (UK) Limited
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