Filwood community sports ground application granted

The new development will include football goals, basketball nets, a netball court and exercise equipment

A new community sports ground has been given the go ahead, despite fears over increasing anti-social behaviour.

Bristol City councillors called the development at Filwood Park playing fields in Knowle West a "no-brainer".

The multi-use games area (MUGA) received 43 objections from concerned neighbours around noise and crime.

The proposal was granted after it was updated to include a 4m (13ft) fence, floodlights, CCTV and locked gates.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the facility will replace the Filwood Broadway MUGA which has fallen into disrepair, with the site allocated for housing.

Mayor Marvin Rees's Labour cabinet approved £300,000 towards the project in April 2022, with the money coming from a combination of the local authority and Filwood's Levelling Up government funding.

At a development control committee meeting on 24 January, Cllr Richard Eddy said: "This seems to be a no-brainer."A MUGA to constructively use the energy and time of young people has got to be a great idea."The issue clearly is the impact on neighbours, and this is where we've sought to be responsible through consultation."I'm pleased to hear about the CCTV but if we are going to invest here, we need to keep a running brief and not just axe funding in a year or two," he added.

'Let off steam'

Cllr Fabian Breckels added: "If this is managed well, it will help reduce anti-social behaviour because it gives young people a legitimate place to let off steam which isn't causing criminal damage or causing a nuisance of themselves."

A report to the committee said: "Officers acknowledge that there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of noise and disturbance arising from the proposed MUGA, nor is it possible to eliminate the risk of crime completely."The nature of the facility is such that noisy activities may arise."However, given the amendments made to the scheme, nature of development and restrictions placed on the facility (secured via condition) the local planning authority is satisfied.

"The proposal is not considered harmful enough to the amenity of surrounding residential properties with regards to noise and disturbance to warrant refusal when weighed in the balance with the significant community, recreation and health benefits associated with the new MUGA facility."