New community sports ground approved despite antisocial behaviour concerns

A new community sports ground has been approved for South Bristol despite dozens of objections from neighbours who fear an increase in antisocial behaviour.

City councillors said the development was a “no-brainer” as they unanimously granted planning permission for the multi-use games area (MUGA) at Filwood Park playing fields in Knowle West, which will include football goals, basketball nets, a netball court and exercise equipment.

The proposals were changed after council officers raised concerns about the potential impact of noise, light pollution, crime and nuisance on nearby residents.

They include eight metre-high floodlights which must be switched off after 8pm and gates that can be locked at night, while the complex, on land off Creswick Avenue which is currently long grass and shrub next to Filwood Park and Mendip Broadwalk football pitch, will be surrounded by a four metre mesh fence and covered by CCTV.

The facility will replace the Filwood Broadway MUGA which has fallen into disrepair, with the site allocated for housing.

A total of 43 objections to the plans were received, with the nearest homes at least 30 metres away.

Bristol City Council development control committee chairman councillor Richard Eddy told the meeting: “This seems to be a no-brainer.”

Labour ward councillor and committee member Chris Jackson said: “I’m pleased that there are going to be CCTV cameras because this is quite a bad area for antisocial behaviour.

Plans for the sporting ground include a football pitch, a netball court, basketball nets and exercise equipment – photo: Bristol City Council

Labour councillor Fabian Breckels added: “If this is managed well, it will help reduce antisocial behaviour because it gives young people a legitimate place to let off steam which isn’t causing criminal damage or causing a nuisance of themselves, so this is something I will have to support.”

Mayor Marvin Rees’s Labour cabinet approved £300,000 towards the project in April 2022, with the money coming from a combination of the local authority and Filwood’s Levelling Up government funding.

A report to the committee said: “Officers acknowledge that there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of noise and disturbance arising from the proposed MUGA, nor is it possible to eliminate the risk of crime completely.

“The nature of the facility is such that noisy activities may arise. However, given the amendments made to the scheme, nature of development and restrictions placed on the facility (secured via condition) the local planning authority is satisfied that the proposal is policy compliant in that crime and disorder and fear of crime has been considered in the design stage of the development, and the proposal is not considered harmful enough to the amenity of surrounding residential properties with regards to noise and disturbance to warrant refusal when weighed in the balance with the significant community, recreation and health benefits associated with the new MUGA facility.”

Adam Postans is a local democracy reporter for Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

Main photo: Bristol City Council

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