THE CONTROVERSIAL application for a second flood-lit sports pitch was withdrawn the day before it was due to be discussed by a council planning committee.
Eastcote Hockey Club withdrew its application late on Monday afternoon for an all-weather, sand dressed multi-purpose sports playing pitch with associated floodlighting, fencing and car parking.
It was due to be discussed by councillors at a planning meeting last night (Tuesday) with Hillingdon planning officers recommending they refuse the application to build on King’s College Playing Fields.
Eastcote Hockey Club chairman Rob Riddleston said the decision to withdraw was taken because the council officers' report raised points that could not be addressed in the short time before the planning meeting.
The club say a revised application for the pitch will be submitted to the council in due course.
It is the second time the Hockey Club has withdrawn an application for a second sports pitch on the playing fields in King's College Road.
He said: “From the beginning of this project the club have always set out to satisfy all planning and environmental requirements to secure a positive recommendation to the planning committee.
“Despite having worked tirelessly with the Planning Department and other agencies since withdrawing the previous application last Spring, yet again new points have now been raised in the Officer’s Report leading to a recommendation for refusal.
“This late notification had not left the club sufficient time to address these issues before the planning meeting.”
Opposition to the planning application came from the Friends of Pinn Meadows, who submitted a petition to the council with over 5,500 signatures against the proposed build.
Read The Gazette next week for more.
