Sports dome plans thrown out to delight of campaigners

Councillors refused planning permission for a 31ft (9.5m) dome, pavilion, running track and sports pitches at Nonsuch High School for Girls in Ewell Road, Cheam.

Their decision was greeted by a round of applause from the public gallery at Epsom town hall which was packed out with about 50 people.

Seven councillors voted against the plans due to a lack of parking spaces, the negative effect on the community and the fact the dome was "not visually acceptable".

Four councillors followed the council officers' recommendation and voted to approve the plans with restrictions on lighting and opening times.

Lib Dem Councillor Anna Jones applauded the school's aim to create sports facilities for students and members of the community but said it was simply not the right site.

She said: "We know the transport links are a bit ropey, we know the parking is going to be an issue, we know at the moment this is lovely green space, we know the dome is going to look awful and we know the lighting is going to cause upset to residents and other people in the area."

Other councillors expressed concerns that 51 parking spaces would not be enough and that the floodlights would cause "massive light pollution".

Residents’ Association Councillor Dave Mayall said: "I would imagine floodlighting sticking out there in the middle of the night or evening could be quite devastating to the general view that we currently enjoy." Labour Councillor Sheila Carlson said the existing car parks are already "stuffed", adding: "I think this overdevelopment".

But RA Councillor Mike Teasdale said he did not believe the dome would be "obtrusive", adding: "It certainly would not stick out like a sore thumb."

The school has already lowered the proposed height of the dome by 14ft (4m) in the face of fierce opposition from residents, Cheam councillors and the local MP.

Councillors and campaigners celebrate after the meeting

It said trees and landscaping would screen the dome, which would contain three netball courts, from Warren Farm nature reserve. But campaigners argued that this view would be blighted.

Frances Wright, from conservation group Nonsuch Watch, told the meeting that the dome and floodlights would "devastate" the peace and tranquillity of Warren Farm.

Ms Wright said: "I appreciate fully that sport can enhance lives but in this case it would be at the expense of other people’s quality of life."

Resident Neill Denny told the chamber: "The scheme is too big, too visible and too noisy."

The school's image of what the dome would look like from Warren Farm

After the meeting, Mr Denny said he was not surprised by the outcome because he has always believed that planning law was on their side.

He said: "What I’m pleased about is the local councillors have taken that on board and they have not been bamboozled by the argument that because it’s for kids it must be good.

"It’s bad for the community and residents have been against it from the beginning."

Mark Lima, from architecture and planning company URS, spoke on behalf of the school and said it wants to create sports facilities for students and the local community.

He said: "The proposed scheme will permit the school to consistently offer a comprehensive sports programme throughout the year."

Transport for London (TfL) said there were actually too many parking spaces in the plans, but councillors disputed this advice.

The campaigners' image of what the dome would look like from Warren Farm