Development of a new primary school on three levels, located on an existing playing field followed by the demolition of the existing infants and junior schools.

 

Demolition of existing school building, site clearance and the development of school playing fields.

The application was approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application and updates / additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet. Particular reference was made to the comments of Welsh Water which required two additional conditions to be added to the recommendation.

 

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Parker and Mr Wright spoke in support of the application.

 

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor PJ McCaull, the local ward member, commented on a number of issues, including:

 

·         The proposal was a vast improvement on the previously withdrawn application.

·         The application was needed as the current school was deteriorating.

·         The proposed design was the best for the budget available.

·         The school was now contained within the site and did not spread onto the neighbouring field.

 

The Committee discussed the application and were fully in support of it. Some comments were made regarding the possibility of adding solar PV panels at a later stage; the importance of a sustainable travel plan and the possibility of a 20mph limit around the school.

 

Councillor McCaull was given the opportunity to close the debate. He reiterated his opening remarks and requested that the application be approved.

 

RESOLVED

 

For planning application 130940/CD:

 

That subject to there being no objection from Sport England, planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

 

1.         A01 Time limit for commencement (full permission)

           

2.         B01 Development in accordance with the approved plans

 

3.         C01 Samples of external materials

 

4.         G03 Retention of existing trees/hedgerows

 

5.         G04 Protection of trees/hedgerows that are to be retained

 

6.         G10 Landscaping scheme

 

7.         G11 Landscaping scheme - implementation

 

8.         Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved a Construction & Delivery Traffic Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  The plan should cover the following points:

 

a. Details of a routing agreement with construction and delivery vehicle operatives to ensure that all traffic enters and leaves the site via Hereford Road and Southern Avenue.

 

b. The method to segregate construction and delivery vehicles from school traffic at the point of access onto Hereford Road.

 

c. The arrival and departure of construction and delivery vehicles will not be permitted between 0815 to 0915 and 1445 to 1615 Monday to Friday.

 

Reason: In the interests of highway safety so that potential conflicts between construction and school traffic are avoided and to comply with Policy DR3 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

9.         H21 Wheel washing

 

10.       H27 Parking for site operatives

 

11.       H29 Secure covered cycle parking provision

 

12.       H30 Travel plans

 

13.       I16 Restriction of hours during construction

 

14.       I41 Scheme of refuse storage (commercial)

 

15.       I43 No burning of material/substances

 

16.       I55 Site Waste Management

 

17.       Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved a scheme for the comprehensive and integrated drainage of the site, showing how foul water, surface water and land drainage will be dealt with has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

 

Reason: To ensure that effective drainage facilities are provided and to comply with Policy DR4 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

18        L02 No surface water to connect to public system

 

19        L03 No drainage run-off to public system

 

Reasons for Approval:

 

1.         It is considered that the proposal would result in the significant enhancement of the existing facilities, would be of an appropriate scale in relation to the needs of the local community, is well related to the settlement that it serves and would not adversely impact upon the residential amenity of neighbouring residents in accordance with the principles set out in Policy CF5 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan. This revised proposal addresses in full the previous concerns raised in relation to the visual impact and implications for biodiversity.  The position of the building within the school grounds means that it will lie behind existing development and does not project beyond the clear edge of development that is currently defined by the southerly hedge.  This reflects the landscape character of the area, whilst the retention of the hedge minimises the loss of a biodiversity asset.  The scheme demonstrates the use of sustainable design methods and consequently the proposal complies with Polices S1, S2, S11, DR1, LA2, LA3, LA5, LA6, NC1, NC6, NC7, NC8 and NC9 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

2.         Matters relating to drainage arrangements and potential flooding of neighbouring property arising from surface water run-off have been carefully considered.  The applicant’s drainage consultant has been able to demonstrate that flow rates from the proposal would be lower than as presently exists.  The methods proposed to be employed to control surface water discharges in the event of high levels of rainfall are considered to be appropriate, subject to the submission of a detailed scheme.  The scheme therefore accords with Policies DR4 and DR7 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

3.         The provision of a pedestrian and cycle link from the existing point of access into the Junior School on George Street to the new site will provide parents with a legitimate alternative to car usage.  The parking area accessed via Hereford Road will also be available for drop off / pick up and it is considered that these combined elements will encourage sustainable travel methods.  The proposal accords with Policies S1, DR3, E15, CF5 and T14 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

4.         In other respects the proposal is considered to be compatible with the surrounding residential environment and will not give rise to any significant effects upon the residential amenity of neighbouring residents in accordance with Policies CF5 and DR2 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

 

5.         It is considered that the policies of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan are consistent and therefore in accordance with the guidance provided by the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

 

Informatives:

 

1.         The Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by assessing the proposal against planning policy and any other material considerations, including any representations that have been received. It has subsequently determined to grant planning permission in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework. 

 

2.         HN25 Travel Plans

 

3.         HN27 Annual Travel Plan Reviews

 

4.         N20 Site Waste Management

 

5.         If development works are perceived to be likely to endanger members of the public then a temporary closure order must be applied for from the Public Rights of Way Manager, Herefordshire Council, Unit 3, Thorn Business Park, Rotherwas Industrial Estate, Hereford, HR2 6JT (tel 01432 845900), at least six weeks in advance of works commencing.

 

6.         The applicants should ensure that their contractors are aware of the line of the public right of way and that the right of way must remain at its historic width and suffer no encroachment or obstruction during the works or at any time after completion.  No vehicles, materials debris, etc shall be stored on the line of the footpath at any time.

 

                       

For planning application 130983/CD:

 

That subject to there being no objection raised by Sport England, planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

 

1.         A01 Time limit for commencement (full permission)

           

2.         The recommendations set out in the ecologist's reports dated August 2012 should be followed in relation to the identified protected species [bats, great crested newts etc]. Prior to commencement of the development, a full working method statement and habitat enhancement scheme should be submitted to and be approved in writing by the local planning authority, and the work shall be implemented as approved.

 

Reason: To ensure that all species are protected having regard to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and Policies NC1, NC6 and NC7 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan. To comply with Policies NC8 and NC9 of Herefordshire's Unitary Development Plan in relation to Nature Conservation and Biodiversity and to meet the requirements of the NPPF and the NERC Act 2006

 

Reasons for approval

 

1.         The phased re-development of the area currently occupied by the existing school buildings will provide enhanced open space provision over and above that which currently exists.  Although there will be a short term reduction whilst the new school building is constructed, this is necessary in order to enable the schools to continue operation and would be appropriately mitigated by the improvements that will be achieved. Therefore the scheme for the provision of sports pitches is compliant with RST4.

 

 

Informatives:

 

1.         The Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by assessing the proposal against planning policy and any other material considerations, including any representations that have been received. It has subsequently determined to grant planning permission in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework. 

 

2.         N11C – General

 

3.         An appropriately qualified and experienced ecological clerk of works should be appointed (or consultant engaged in that capacity) to oversee the ecological mitigation work.