Proposed two-storey educational building with associated landscaping and infrastructure works.

Application approved in accordance with the case officer’s application.

The principal planning officer provided a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda. A correction was provided to paragraph 2.2 of the report; the paragraph should have referred to eight (8) large classrooms and other ancillary spaces. The paragraph incorrectly quoted 13 additional classrooms.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Hancorn, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Molyneux-Wright, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

In accordance with the council's constitution, a statement was read on behalf of the local ward member. He explained, that whilst there was an urgent need for school places in Herefordshire the proposal in the application should take account of the wider context to ensure it was appropriate for pupils and the local community. The area and school suffered from significant traffic and parking pressures locally; there was concern that the expansion would exacerbate these problems. It was important to confirm that the expansion of the high school aligned with the wider housing plans and development in the county. There was also concern at the recent Ofsted ratings in relation to the school and it was questioned whether this was the right location for significant capital investment. Whilst it was recognised that increasing school places was necessary, issues around access and transport and strategic planning must be fully addressed before a decision was made.

The committee debated the application:

• There had been a number of concerns raised regarding the process followed for the application and clarity was requested that due process had been followed.
• The application proposed a substantial building in an open space but it was acknowledged that the building was located within the context of other educational buildings therefore was not out of keeping;
• The proposed budling was at a significant distance from neighbouring properties and there was screening of the building by trees on the site boundaries. Verification was requested the trees would be retained on the southern boundary to maintain screening at this location.
• It was noted that additional parking was proposed as part of the application; the active travel measures to access the school were welcomed and it was hoped would discourage car travel to the site.
• The provision of solar panels on the roof of the proposed building was welcomed.
• The loss of playing fields was regretted but new sports facilities were proposed as part of the application which would also be accessible to the local community.

The development manager provided the following clarification:

• the application was a public finance initiative (PFI) application which had a shorter determination date and a shorter consultation period. However, revised plans for the application had been subject to a 21 day consultation which was beyond the requirements in the PFI legislation.
• It was confirmed that there was no intention to remove trees from the boundaries around the building and a condition was imposed on the permission to protect trees on the site.

Councillor Stef Simmons proposed and Councillor Richard Thomas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44