Agenda item

To consider a report from the Head of Strategic Planning regarding an application for a secondary school in Bordon.

Committee considered a report by the Head of Strategic Planning (Item 6 in the Minute Book) regarding an application for the construction of a Secondary School in Bordon.

The proposal was outlined and Committee was shown aerial photos of the site, along with elevation and plans of the proposed school. The school was part of a large redevelopment of the wider Whitehill/Bordon area, which included 2,400 new homes, a new town centre and leisure facilities. The new town centre would be approximately 5 minutes walk from the new school.

A layout of the proposed school and associated playing pitches was shown and the layout and features were explained.

The Committee received two deputations. Carol Rolfe, a local resident, shared her concerns about the proposed Secondary school being alongside the Infants and Junior school and also the disappointment at losing the land for the development. The safety of school children was paramount and it was felt that the eastern access to the school was not safe due to the narrow footway, which needed addressing. On behalf of the applicant, Liam Presley spoke in support of the project and the benefits of the design itself as well as its placement in the local area.

During questions of the deputations, the following points were clarified:

• There would be various locations available for parking within the vicinity of the school, including the nearby new town centre.
• There were seven formal visitors spaces planned with potential to expand up to 16 if the coach loop was not in use.
• A number of access points were proposed around the school.
• The footway at the eastern access point which, was used by parents and children accessing the Infants and Junior school, was difficult to widen due to a steep descent and the ownership of the land.
• The building was fully compliant with fire regulations and it had been concluded that sprinklers were not required.
• Parking for the Infant and Junior school was already at a premium and cars park wherever there is space, regardless of road markings, as children need to be dropped off at the school entrance.
• An expansion to the Infants and Junior schools was expected and consultation on parking and travel would also be looked at as part of that project.
• There were currently no plans to install dragons teeth to prevent parking in certain areas.

During questions of the officer, the following points were clarified:

• There were difficulties in widening the eastern access path due to changes in land levels and the ownership of the land, but this was something that could be looked at going forward as part of the Infants/Junior school expansion.
• The impact of parent parking has been looked at as part of the current application and will continue to be considered as part of the Infant and Junior school expansion.
• General highway improvements were anticipated for Budds Lane as part of a package of measures that would be funded by contributions from the wider development.
• The site was being prepared for development by the existing owners and some trees had been removed, in accordance with the principles agreed as part of the outline permission, but it was not expected for any more to be removed.
• The mesh weld fencing between the Secondary and Infants/Junior schools allowed for visibility for security reasons, but there would also be planting along the boundary.
• An additional Condition had been included in the update report to ensure the development incorporates the necessary mitigation and adaption measure with regard to climate change in accordance with Policy CP24.
• Conditions 25 and 26 define the late night use of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA).
• The Conditions could be amended if necessary to ensure that no parking restrictions are put on the coach area to enable parking by vehicles when it is not in use.

During debate, Members accepted that there were wider concerns, such as parent drop-off parking pressures, that were not considered to be issues which could be addressed in this planning application. It was agreed that the improvement of the footway to the eastern end of the site should be looked at as part of future developments proposed at the Infant and Junior schools and that an Advisory Note be attached to that effect.

RESOLVED:

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions listed in Integral Appendix B and Update Paper.

Voting:
Favour: 15

Against: 1