PLANS for a new artificial sports pitch on the outskirts of Brecon have been given the green light by Bannau Brycheiniog planners.
Last December, Fiona Williams of Brecon Town Council lodged an application with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority for a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) to be built on field next to the public toilets just off Fennifach road near the River Usk.
While the town council lodged the application with Bannau Brycheiniog planners the site is actually owned by Powys County Council (PCC).
The MUGA is to be 30 metres by 16 metres and would include a gated entrance, goals and markings for football and basketball pitches.
The total area needed for the development is 480 square metres.
The replacement of a field by a MUGA is compensated elsewhere according to Mrs Williams who is the town council clerk.
In a Green Infrastructure Statement Mrs Williams said: “As such there is no opportunity for Brecon Town Council to implement additional green infrastructure at the actual site of the development.”
She said that the town council “embeds” the consideration of biodiversity and ecosystems int its thinking, planning, policies as day-to-day activities.
Ms Williams pointed out recent examples of how this is being done in other parts of Brecon at sites owned or managed by the town council.
These include the implementation and maintenance of a wildflower meadow at Llanfaes Park.
Securing Island Fields to be maintained as a community space and produce a management plan for the fields that is “likely” to include a “sympathetic” grass cutting regime and management of the woodland areas to encourage biodiversity.
She also said that fruit trees have been planted in Llanfaes Park, and bird and bat boxes have been installed at “various locations” in Brecon.
Planning officer Max Webb said: “The proposed MUGA is likely to increase the use of this part of the recreational area and as such the noise levels may increase.
However, the site as a whole would already experience a level of noise commensurate with a recreational site, so an increase is unlikely to be substantial or harmful.
“In any case there are no immediately neighbouring dwellings likely to be affected,” said Mr Webb.
He said that Powys Council environment protection department were consulted on the application and had no noise concerns.
On the biodiversity enhancements Mr Webb said that the Bannau Brycheiniog ecologist had suggested that the town and county councils should “explore” working together to address this issue.
Mr Webb said: “The proposal is deemed acceptable and would not have a detrimental visual impact, effect on neighbouring amenity, highway safety or ecological considerations.
“As a result, it would comply with the relevant development plan policies.”
Due to this he recommended granting the application.
