ONE of the largest scout groups in North Yorkshire has gained planning approval to build a new hut next to a York primary School.

The 1st Holgate Scout Group applied to erect the two-storey brick building east of Acomb Primary School, West Bank, York, on what planning officers described as “an area of under-utlised playing field.”

As previously reported, the scout group, founded in 1981, is thriving and has doubled in size since 2009 to 350 members.

A report by council planning staff said public consultation over the scheme resulted in 8 letters of objection but 66 letters in support.

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Objections focussed on the ‘industrial’ design of the hut, the proposed landscaping with neighbouring properties, the scouts making a noise during evening meetings, them generating light pollution and the development harming local wildlife.

A report by council planning staff said: “The Holgate Scout group is large and thriving but does not presently have a single meeting place.

“The constituent groups meet at a variety of separate locations at separate times which is proving increasingly difficult to manage.

“The current proposal would enable a single location to be provided ensuring that the group is able to operate on a stable long term footing.”

The report noted the scheme would mean the loss of two waiting spaces with a length of driveway, but “detail has subsequently been submitted which demonstrates that the associated traffic flows can be satisfactorily accommodated.

“Traffic generation is therefore felt to be acceptable, being no worse than that already experienced as a consequence of the school.”

Their report also said: “The proposal has been extensively amended during the course of processing to address concerns in respect of the access to the site.”

Officers also noted the building would be “a substantial distance” from neighbouring properties so any overlooking would be minimal.

Concerns had also been raised over the prospect of events featuring live music being held, but it has since been confirmed that the building would be used for scouting during weekends and early evenings. Use for other events such as fetes would be ‘very occasional.’

“There would not therefore be any harm to residential amenity by virtue of external noise. The proposal is therefore felt to be acceptable in amenity terms,” officers continued.

A report by them concluded: “The proposed scout building is felt to be acceptable in terms of its impact upon the form and character of the street scene. The site is not in an active open space use.

“It is acceptable in terms of its access and drainage arrangements and would not harm the residential amenity of neighbouring properties. The proposal is therefore felt to be acceptable in planning terms and approval is recommended.”