WIMS (UK) Ltd has had its full planning application for the levelling of the sportsfield at Oaklands Park, Buckfastleigh, refused by Dartmoor National Park Authority Development Control Committee. The retrospective application sought to regularise unauthorised works carried out on the site of a proposed football pitch, and to regularise what was the subject of an extant enforcement notice. A report to members stated that planning permission was granted in August 2003 for the levelling of an existing playing field. That was amended and permission given in October 2004 for the playing surface to be approximately one-metre lower. But a site visit that month revealed that it was not being developed in accordance with approved drawings. Levels of deposited materials were, in places, approximately one-metre higher than that approved. The pitch also extended further to the east and considerably closer to adjacent houses. A large amount of excavated material had been deposited, levelled and compacted on the sloping land to the south west of the pitch. In April an enforcement notice required the repositioning of the pitch away from the eastern boundary, the reduction in the level of the playing surface, and the removal of the unauthorised parking area to the south west of the playing area. It also required the removal of an unauthorised earth bank on the eastern boundary, the removal of timber gates adjoining Oaklands Road and the reinstatement of the pedestrian gate and hedgebanks there and the removal of aggregate from the former allotment. An appeal against the enforcement was dismissed in December. Recent works were undertaken on the east side where the pitch was drawn back further from the boundary and an unauthorised earth bank removed. The meeting heard that there were three letters of objection from residents of Oaklands Park who were concerned about the proximity and height of the playing surface and risk of increased disturbance and intrusion.

Mick Roberts, agent for Wims (UK) Ltd, pointed out that, in dismissing the appeal, the inspector had said that no plans for long-term screening had been put before him, and no such dialogue had taken place since the decision. 'They have under taken some native tree planting screening,' said Mr Roberts, who said there should also be some negotiations for the car park to be moved further away. Mr Roberts, who had circulated each member with a letter, had requested a deferment to take into account the inspector's decision so that dialogue and negotiations could go ahead. He also maintained that the levelling would involve more than 200 lorry trips to the site and there was no order for tyres or vehicle washing. Proposing refusal, Stuart Barker said clearly it was an imposition on residents. 'There has been a complete non-acceptance of the conditions. We made it very clear we did not want to see traffic access in Oaklands Road, and the car parking area has clearly been extended. 'I think the residents have put up with enough.' Mr Barker said he was unhappy at being threatened with the number of lorry journeys to the site and the reference regarding not having to clean the vehicles. 'I think people will stand up against those who abuse planning permission. 'When we granted this originally we were told it was for women's football. That is catered for at South Dartmoor Community College. 'There is no necessity for this pitch. We have adequate provision with a training ground with floodlights a few hundred yards away and a rugby pitch,' said Mr Barker. While it was unsatisfactory as it stood, Julian Brazil said only three residents had written in to complain. 'Here we have a facility for young people with a sports pitch to play on and the fact that it may be at risk because of objections of a few residents. 'I would like to go along and see the site and possible mitigating circumstances and to see what landscaping has and could be done,' he added. Refusing the application, members agreed with officers that it would have a detrimental effect on this part of the National Park and upon the amenities and privacy enjoyed by residents of adjoining properties.