Agenda item

Construction of a one storey building to provide an additional 1FE to the existing School, with associated proposed landscaping, hard play and additional parking. In addition, construction of an extension to the existing dining hall and extension to separate classroom block.

Officers:

Alan Stones, Planning Development Control Team Manager

Nancy El-Shatoury, Principal Solicitor

Caroline Smith, Transport Development Planning Team Manager

Dawn Horton-Baker, Senior Planning Officer

Speakers:

Andrew Floyd, a local resident, made representations in objection to the

application. The following points were made:

-       Expressed the difficulty in parking in his local area during peak school opening and closing times

-       Local residents were unhappy with current traffic conditions in their area

-       Explained that in his experience, parents have not had a positive attitude when confronted about inappropriate parking

-       Expressed that in his opinion the school has no reasonable plan to reduce the traffic conditions in the area

-       Asked the committee to reject the proposal as it would have negative impacts on the local area

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The Planning Officer introduced the report and the update sheet tabled at the meeting and appended to these minutes. The Planning Officer informed the committee that the expansion was needed to add more pupils and that there has been 55 letters of objection to the expansion. An objection had been received from ‘Sport England’ as the proposed extension used some school playing field; officers acknowledged this and informed the committee that the proposed expansion did not reduce any existing pitches on the field. The Planning Officer explained that the increase in cars would be fairly small and that with the building of the new school gate and the creation of new travel plans would reduce the impact and may even improve current traffic conditions. The Planning Officer recommended that the report be forwarded to the Secretary of State for approval.

2.    Some Members expressed that the need for school places in the local area is very important and that they believe there would be a minimal impact due to loss of land at the school, as the land that would be lost was currently derelict and not large enough for another pitch.

3.    A Member raised their concerns that the loss of playing field and the increase of pupils would mean even less free space for the pupils.

4.    In response to the Members concerns regarding the loss of playing field and the increase of pupils the Planning Officer confirmed to Members that a new hard surface area will be built to give students additional space.

5.    Several Members raised concerns that the school had not provided sufficient plans to reduce traffic in the local area during peak dropping off and picking up times and that the school will need to become more proactive to mitigate the increase of traffic in the area. Members spoke of investing in alternative ways to journey to school which would reduce the congestion of vehicles during peak times. Members requested that the school works with the local committee in easing traffic conditions and potentially applying parking restrictions to the area.

6.    Members expressed that the Planning Officers must persist with finding reliable parking outside of the school.

7.    Some Members said they are assured with plans to build the new school gate which would be supervised by teachers during pick up and drop off times.

Resolved:

1. That pursuant to the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009, the application be forwarded to the Secretary of State and in the absence of any direction by him and pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992, the application be PERMITTED subject to conditions.

2. That reference to the parking restriction on Oatlands Chase in Condition 8 be removed.

Action/further information to be provided:

1. To forward the decision to the Secretary of State.