Issue - meetings
25/00666/FUL - Blackwater Leisure Centre, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex CM9 5UR
Meeting: 16/10/2025 - District Planning Committee (Item 315)
315 25/00666/FUL - Blackwater Leisure Centre, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex CM9 5UR 
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To consider the report of the Assistant Director: Planning and Implementation, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.
Minutes:
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Application Number |
25/00666/FUL |
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Location |
Blackwater Leisure Centre, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex CM9 5UR |
|
Proposal |
Internal alterations and new glazed openings to south elevation serving proposed fitness suite; Installation of photovoltaic panels to southern, eastern and western roof slopes of main building. |
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Applicant |
Mr Martin Anderson - Places For People Leisure Management Ltd |
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Agent |
Mr Edward Rawle - Pozzoni |
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Target Decision Date |
30.09.2025 |
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Case Officer |
Matt Bailey |
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Parish |
MALDON TOWN |
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Reason for Referral to the Committee |
Referred by the Assistant Director: Planning and Implementation under Part 3, 1d of the District Planning Committee Terms of Reference due to matters of strategic importance and interest to the District. Site is also in Council Ownership and must be determined by a Committee. |
Following the Officers’ presentation a discussion ensued. Councillor V J Bell commented on the application and proposed that it be approved as per Officers’ recommendation. This proposal was duly seconded.
Councillor J Driver declared an interest in this application as he, along with his wife, used the gym at the leisure centre on a regular basis.
A debate ensued. There was some discussion regarding the proposed glazed openings and it was clarified that they would be made from transparent glass to create a view in and out of the gym space. In response to queries regarding whether two-way or alternative glazing could be requested, Members were advised that this could be conditioned if they were mindful. The Head of Development Management and Building Control explained that from a planning perspective the opening was the main matter for consideration, as there was no impact on the community a decision to change any glazing wouldn’t be considered material.
The Senior Planning Officer explained that the internal alterations could be carried out without planning permission and had been included for completeness, this also applied to the photovoltaic panels.
In response to reference to the Leisure Contract, the Director of Legal and Governance advised that this was not a planning issue and therefore not relevant or for discussion in relation to this application.
Councillor E L Stephens felt that the glazing should not be two-way glass and proposed an amendment to the proposal that an additional condition regarding the glazing be included. This proposal was duly seconded.
Councillor A S Fluker spoke regarding the glazing and whether Places Leisure should be given opportunity to review this and come back to the Committee. He proposed that the application be deferred to allow Places Leisure to consider the comments regarding the glazing and come back to the Committee. This proposal was duly seconded. The Chairperson put this to the Committee however the deferral was not agreed.
The Chairperson then moved the proposal in the name of Councillor Stephens to include a condition regarding the glazing. Following further debate, a vote was taken and the Chairperson declared that the motion was lost.
The Chairperson then referred to the proposal in the name of Councillor Bell, to accept the Officers’ recommendation of approval, and put this to the Committee. ... view the full minutes text for item 315