Petition regarding the proposal to demolish existing structures and erect a new stadium for Salford City FC at Moor Lane at (Planning Application 16/69004/FUL)

We, the undersigned, express our concerns regarding this application and currently object to planning application on the following grounds:

 

Parking and highways – The new stadium will only include 68 parking spaces. Salford Council's Unitary Development Plan states that stadia should have a parking ratio of 1:18 equalling 284 parking spaces. The narrow local roads already cannot cope with the volume of cars, even before the capacity is increased. Surveys have shown that more than 30% of fans will travel to games by car. A crowd of 4,000+ would generate over 1,000 cars.

 

The submitted ‘Travel Plan’ has stated three ways to mitigate the parking and highway issues, all three stated ways are fundamentally flawed. The three pronged approach and the flaws in each approach are listed below.

 

1. Provide off-site parking for fans. 2. Promote sustainable transport. 3. Introduce parking restrictions on local roads. These ideas have serious flaws which render them not sufficient for dealing with the problem. 1. If the application is contingent on finding off-site parking then this is such a fundamental detail that it must be included in the application. Until further detail about this land is submitted it has to be assumed that no land for this use exists locally and as such the suggestion is unworkable. 2. The stadium is located nearly two kilometres away from the nearest Metrolink stops. There is no detail where the additional fans will be travelling from so it’s not possible to say whether the bus services along Bury New Road will at all be appropriate. The main population centres within walking distance to the stadium will not attend football matches on Saturday. therefore the suggestion to promatiote sustainable transport as a way of mitigating the parking and highways issues cannot be relied on to mitigate the definite and real problem of highways and parking. 3. Without appropriate parking provision, the proposed local parking restrictions will only pass the parking problem onto the nearest roads that don’t have the restrictions and cause chaos on these roads too.

 

Noise and loss of amenity - It is calculated that proposed new stadium result in a noticeable increase in noise levels. The noise currently is a major disturbance to local people and represents a significant loss of amenity and quite enjoyment of their property. Until such time that a plan is submitted with a technical/architectural specification that keeps the noise within the confines of the applicant’s site, this proposal should be refused.

 

The distinct nature of the local community means that many children walk on a Saturday afternoon to friends, families and the local old age home. The significant increase in foot traffic around the area will be a nuisance to local people and a represent a loss of their amenity.

 

Lack of meaningful consultation - the National Planning Policy Framework expects: "early and meaningful engagement and collaboration with neighbourhoods, local organisations and businesses," and furthermore says, "Applicants will be expected to work closely with those directly affected by their proposals to evolve designs that take account of the views of the community."

 

There was practically no consultation with local neighbours prior to the submission of the Planning Application.  The one ‘consultation’ meeting took place on the same day as the reports that were submitted with the application were signed off and a mere three days prior to the actual submission of the Planning Application. The actual architectural plans had been completed weeks before the ‘consultation’ meeting took place. The so called ’consultation’ amounted to a presentation of the proposal rather than a consultation.

 

The stated aim of the applicant is to be in the football League and to have a stadium with a capacity of at least 5,000. The average stadium size in the lowest division of the English league is over 10,000. Does this proposal constitute sustainable long term development or just a short term stop gap?

 

The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development including: “a social role – supporting strong, vibrant and healthy communities ... with accessible local services that reflect the community’s needs and support its health, social and cultural well-being.”

We therefore ask for planning permission to be refused until such time as:

 

      i.        A comprehensive options appraisal has been undertaken that takes into account the long term aspirations of Salford FC.

     ii.        Local residents have had the opportunity to evolve designs that take account of our views and a majority are satisfied with any final proposal.

    iii.        An equalities impact assessment has been undertaken, giving particular regard to the diverse population and the potential effect on both young and older people.

    iv.        A comprehensive travel plan, supported by local people, is agreed as part of any planning permission approved.