FOI request (FOIR-327713191)

MUGA in Elphinstone Road

Requested Tue 20 April 2021
Responded Wed 26 May 2021

I am wanting to find out what restrictions there are on the use of the MUGA in Elphinstone Road, Hastings, next to the Football ground. There should have been restrictions regarding its use and timings when the MUGA was allowed, either on the planning application or on the conditions of use.

Are there any restrictions regarding the times the MUGA can be used?

Are there any restrictions regarding the noise that is made in the MUGA, and can music be played there?

Are there any restrictions regarding how the MUGA is used?

Response

The MUGA is part of an area which is leased out. There are no restrictions in the lease regarding the times the MUGA can be used, the noise made there, if music can be played or how it can be used. There are general provisions in the lease about permitted uses of the property and that the tenant shall not use the property in a manner that would cause nuisance.

Planning permission was granted for the MUGA specifically under HS/FA/05/00820 - this included a condition that stated the floodlights should be turned off at 9pm. The current consent for the site as a whole (HS/FA/05/00908) includes a condition that states "Unless by prior arrangement of the LPA for specific events, the premises shall not be used except between the following hours - 8am-9pm Monday to Friday. This is soon to be superseded by a new consent which has a resolution to grant planning permission, subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement (which hasn't been signed yet, so therefore the decision notice has not yet been issued). In this one, the above condition for the premises as a whole has been amended to extend opening hours to 8am-10pm Monday - Sunday. There are no planning restrictions as to how the MUGA is used, noise or music.

Sport England guidance on MUGA use - "Synthetic turf areas (MUGAs or STPs) surfaced with a shockpad and either sand filled or sand dressed synthetic turf or a needle-punch carpet. The areas are used for sports such as hockey, uni-hockey, five-aside football, football, lacrosse, American football and training areas for activities such as athletics and rugby union and rugby league. The guideline specifications detail the performance and construction requirements for the sports most commonly undertaken on MUGAs. MUGAs are also used for a wide range of other sports. If the MUGA is to be used for sports not included in these guidelines, guidance should be sought on the most suitable form of design and surfacing from the sports governing body, BS 7044 Artificial Sports Surfaces: Part 1: Classification and General Introduction or Sport England's Facility Advisors.