Brent Council's Planning Committee has granted permission for the development of new sports facilities at Kingsbury High School, including a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and a relocated cricket pitch. The decision, made on Thursday, July 2, 2026, aims to provide high-quality, year-round sports facilities for both the school and the wider community, addressing the current playing field's unsuitability due to waterlogging and an uneven surface.
The approved plans include two artificial sports pitches, one marked for football and the other for hockey, covering a combined area of 126m x 102.5m. The hockey pitch, located on the east, will be bordered by a 2-metre high acoustic fence along its northern, eastern, and southern boundaries. The pitch on the west will be marked for football. Associated 4-metre high mesh fencing and 15-metre high floodlights will also be installed. The existing cricket pitch will be relocated to the west of the site, with 6-metre high ball stop fencing proposed for its western boundary.
Concerns raised by objectors regarding noise, light spill, traffic, and the environmental impact of artificial turf were carefully considered by the committee. Council officers concluded that with proposed mitigation measures and conditions, the development would not cause undue harm to neighbouring amenities or the environment. The proposal also achieves a significant biodiversity net gain of +11.74%, delivered entirely on-site through habitat creation and management measures, including the introduction of mixed scrub and shrub planting, urban greening features, installation of green roofs, retention of existing urban trees, additional tree planting (18 new trees), and the creation of ornamental hedgerows.
During the meeting, councillors heard from objectors who raised concerns about noise, light pollution, traffic, and the environmental impact of artificial turf. The school's headteacher, Alex Thomas, highlighted the current playing field's unsuitability for year-round use and the benefits the new facilities would bring to pupils and the community. Tara Randall, the school's grants, lettings and sustainability lead, addressed concerns about community use and management of the facilities.
Addressing Noise Concerns:
Beyond restricted hours and acoustic fencing, the lighting strategy has been designed to minimise light spill, with planners concluding that the separation and distances involved will prevent negative impacts on neighbouring properties. A comprehensive noise assessment, prepared by Healthy Abode Acoustics and reviewed by the Council's Environmental Health Team, followed Sport England's objective guidelines for noise levels from sports pitches, recommending no more than 50dB LAeq, 1m from the nearest residential façade. Mitigation measures, including the acoustic barrier around the hockey pitch, are considered sufficient to address noise from ball impacts. A noise management plan will be a condition of approval, covering use by various groups and differing hours.
Ensuring Community Access:
The 'Community Access Plan' will be secured by planning condition and reviewed by the Council in consultation with Sport England. This plan will outline clear arrangements for booking, supervision, site security, hours of use, and noise management. It will also ensure access for a diverse community, with specific provisions for households on low incomes. Rates of hire will be comparable to other Brent council-owned facilities, with reductions available for those on low incomes.
Hours of Operation:
The hours of operation for the new facilities, including floodlights, are strictly defined: from October to March, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM (floodlights off by 9:15 PM); in April, 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM (floodlights off by 7:45 PM); from May to August, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (no floodlight use); and in September, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (no floodlights permitted).
Technical Specifications:
The specification for the playing surfaces themselves will be secured by condition, requiring them to be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with relevant technical design guidance from Sport England, the Football Association, and England Hockey, as appropriate to each playing surface.
The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions and informatives outlined in the committee report and supplementary report. These include restrictions on the hours of use for the pitches and floodlights, noise mitigation measures, and the submission of a detailed Community Access Plan. Further details can be found in the Public reports pack and the Supplementary Planning Committee Agenda Pack.
