Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding Planning Application for demolition of existing building and provision of a new two storey All Through Special Needs school and associated external works, including access road, landscape, soft/hard play and parking areas at Former Chineham Park Primary School, Shakespeare Road, Basingstoke. Application No. 19/01381/CC3.
Site Ref: BAE035.

Demolition of existing building and provision of a new two storey All Through Special Needs school and associated external works, including access road, landscape, soft/hard play and parking areas at Former Chineham Park Primary School, Shakespeare Road, Basingstoke RG24 9BP (No. 19/01381/CC3) (Site Ref: BAE035)

The Committee considered a report from the Head of Strategic Planning (item 8 in the minute book) regarding an application is for a 125 place all through Special Needs school and associated external works, including internal access road, landscape, soft/hard play and parking areas at the former Chineham Park Primary School.

Officers provided the history of the site, in which there was an existing nursery that had been in operation since 2008. Members were shown proposed plans of the site and confirmed that no flood lighting was planned for outside. There was a history of bats and dormice on the site, and therefore more planting was proposed along with maintaining more trees that were currently there. Car parking would also be increased to support the new school. These mitigations were detailed in the update paper, along with minor amendments regarding Condition 8.

The Committee received one deputation from Andrew Parker on behalf of the applicant, who detailed the valuable importance of the school and its provisions. Mr Parker confirmed that the tree belt would remain following recommendation by the County Ecologist, and also that improvements would be made to the entrance for better access.

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

·         The school would be a huge benefit to children who would no longer need to travel outside of the County;

·         The school would not be in an area where there were existing concerns over air quality, but this would be monitored going forward;

·         Solar panels were not required for the school, but could be fitted retrospectively should they be needed in the future;

·         A full assessment had been done and it had been concluded that there was no need for sprinklers to be installed.

During debate, Members agreed that the school would be a great asset to the County and Councillor Jane Frankum was pleased to give the school full support as the local Member.

RESOLVED:

Planning permission was GRANTED subject to the conditions listed in integral appendix A and minor amendments included in the update report.

Voting:
Favour: 14 (unanimous)