Ken Judge & Associates Ltd The Barn, Monument Office, Unit 4, Maldon Road, Woodham Mortimer, CM9 6SN 01245 225577 [email protected] www.kenjudgeltd.co.uk

Design & Access Statement

Thurrock Rugby Football Club, Long Lane, Grays, . RM16 2QH

Applicant:

This is a joint application between:

1. Rugby Football Club, Long Lane, Grays. RM16 2QH; and 2. SWECET, William Edwards School, Clays Road, Grays. RM16 3NJ

Overview.

This statement accompanies a full planning application for a major new development providing new secondary school accommodation at the above address and is to be read in conjunction with drawing numbers 2471/LP, 101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207 & 208 prepared by Ken Judge & Associates Ltd, the travel assessment and CWMP prepared by ENCON associates, Tree survey and landscaping details prepared by Open Spaces, Flood Risk Assessment prepared by Evans Rivers and Coastal, the Broxap Cycle storage spec sheet and the Euro-guard fence spec sheet.

Introduction:

The application site is privately owned and comprises of a playing field with three adult sized rugby pitches and a cricket crease. There is also a council owned playing field to the South East of the site, between the application site and Stanford Road (A1306), which contains two adult sized rugby pitches and numerous youth sized rugby pitches. The existing rugby clubhouse was constructed C1979 for TRFC and is located to the West of the application site. It is a combination of two storey and single storey elements. The clubhouse comprises two squash courts, a weight training gym, numerous changing rooms and shower facilities, physio room and treatment area, a lounge area, multi-purpose hall, bar servery, kitchen, cellar and stores and a stand which overlooks the rugby pitches to the East.

The area to the West of the building is mainly poor quality hardstanding used for car parking.

Vehicular access to the site is via a long driveway which runs parallel with Milford Road and is accessed off Long Lane. The driveway is approximately 5m wide allowing vehicles to pass.

Pedestrian access is via the aforementioned access driveway and Long Lane to the North and from the sites Southern pedestrian access gate reached via the footpath along the side of the allotments. This pedestrian pathway continues in two directions; 1. Southerly across the field to Stanford Road (A1013) and; 2. Westerly across King George’s Field to Blackshots Lane (via the Leisure Centre).

Bounding the site to the West is the rear service road to numerous dwellings in Springfield Road and their garages. There is a Council Depot and the Athletics Stadium to the South West of the site and Allotments to the South. The remainder of the site is surrounded by open fields.

The entire boundary of the site is lined with high security fencing and gates.

The site is located within the Metropolitan Green Belt.

Planning History.

There are in excess of 20 historic applications for the site dating back to 1963. The most relevant and sizeable historic application is noted below:

Ref. 10/50149/TTGFUL Description: Two storey extension to provide enhanced changing facilities and gymnasium. Application Permitted on 9th June 2010.

Whilst this development has not been implemented it is prudent to note the footprint of the proposed extension approved under this application was 348sq.m giving a total gross floor space for the two storey extension of 696sq.m. It was granted very special circumstances.

Description of Development.

This is a full planning application for new development, extensions and alterations to Thurrock Rugby Football Club (TRFC) to provide new classrooms, changing facilities, and ancillary accommodation to provide an interim site for Heath Academy prior to its main building opening (likely 2021), on land directly adjacent to TRFC.

The new structure will be two storey and located to the North of the existing structure with a covered walkway link at ground floor level. This will provide a minimum 120 urgently needed secondary school pupil places for September 2019 with a further capacity for another 120 spaces from September 2020. The floor area for the new building will be 577sq.m at each level.

Areas of the existing TRFC building will be utilised by the temporary school throughout the day time including the main hall, kitchen and toilet and changing facilities as will the external sports facilities and areas of the hardstanding for playground and car parking. TRFC will continue to use the site for their use which is entirely outside of school hours. Neither use will impact the other in a negative way and would in fact enhance each other’s use of the site linking Sports and Education for future generations. The building which is owned by TRFC will be leased by SWECET (South West Essex Community Education Trust) during school hours (07.30-16.30) and used under agreement by TRFC outside of these hours (evenings and weekends). Site access will remain the same for both uses although the main school building entrance will be separated from the main TRFC building entrance.

The existing structure will be minimally extended to provide adequate facilities for the school and the external aesthetics enhanced and softened. The new extensions equate to a total of 122sq.m. The external hardstanding will be resurfaced making it fit for purpose and again enhancing the aesthetic of the site as a whole with a new parking layout, paving, planting and cycle storage.

Once the new development ceases to be the interim structure and Orsett Heath Academy is open for pupils (likely 2021), the building will continue to be used by SWECET and TRFC for educational and sports provision in conjunction with Orsett Heath Academy and thus providing a lasting legacy use by enhancing Education, Sport and Recreation as a ‘Thurrock Institute of Sport’. Appearance. The new structure will be constructed as follows: Roof: Flat roof. Walls: Facing brickwork, Timber cladding and monocouche render. Windows: Powder coated aluminium windows. Doors: Powder coated aluminium doors. Boundaries: The existing security fencing will be retained. The existing structure and extensions will be enhanced as follows: Walls: Facing brickwork, Timber cladding and monocouche render. Windows: Powder coated aluminium windows

Planning Policy

Planning Policy Considerations:

NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework)

The NPPF has two main areas relative to the application that are prudent to note:

1. Paragraph 94. P27. It is important that a sufficient choice of school places is available to meet the needs of existing and new communities. Local planning authorities should take a proactive, positive and collaborative approach to meeting this requirement, and to development that will widen choice in education. They should: a. Give great weight to the need to create, expand or alter schools through the preparation of plans and decisions on applications; and b. Work with promoters, delivery partners and statutory bodies to identify and resolve key planning issues before applications are submitted.

2. Paragraph 134. P40. (Protecting Green Belt land). Green belt serves five purposes; a. to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built areas; b. to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another; c. to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment; d. to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and, e. to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

Policy statement - planning for schools development 2011

This document outlines the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the Secretary of State for Education’s commitment to support the development of state-funded schools and their delivery through the planning system. It states:

The Government is firmly committed to ensuring there is sufficient provision to meet growing demand for state-funded school places, increasing choice and opportunity in state-funded education and raising educational standards.

The Government wants to enable new schools to open, good schools to expand and all schools to adapt and improve their facilities. This will allow for more provision and greater diversity in the state-funded school sector to meet both demographic needs and the drive for increased school choice and higher standards.

By increasing both the number of school places and the choice of state-funded schools, we can raise educational standards and so transform children’s lives by helping them to reach their full potential.

It is the Governments view that the creation and development of state-funded schools is strongly in the national interest and that planning decision-makers can and should support that objective, in a manner consistent with their statutory obligations.

This collaborative working would help to ensure that the answer to proposals for the development of state- funded schools should be, wherever possible, ‘yes’.

The Government believes that the planning system should operate in a positive manner when dealing with proposals for the creation, expansion and alteration of state-funded schools, and that the following principles should apply with immediate effect:

⁃There should be a presumption in favour of the development of state-funded schools, as expressed in the National Planning Policy Framework. ⁃Local Authorities should give full and thorough consideration to the importance of enabling the development of state-funded schools in their planning decisions. The Secretary of State will attach significant weight to the need to establish and develop state-funded schools when determining applications and appeals that come before him for decision.

⁃Local Authorities should make full use of their planning powers to support state-funded schools applications.

Thurrock Planning Policy

The following are relevant policies taken from the current Thurrock Local Development Framework. Core Strategies and Policies for Management of Development (as amended).

Spatial Policies CSSP4 - Sustainable Green Belt

Thematic Policies CSTP9 - Well-being: Leisure and Sports CSTP12 - Education and Learning CSTP20 - Open Space CSTP22 - Thurrock Design CSTP23 - Thurrock Character and Distinctiveness CSTP27 - Management and Reduction of Flood Risk

Policies for the Management of Development PMD1 - Minimising Pollution and Impacts on Amenity PMD2 - Design and Layout PMD6 - Development in the Green Belt PMD8 - Parking Standards PMD8 - Parking Standards PMD9 - Road Network Hierarchy PMD10 - Transport Assessment and Travel Plans PMD15 - Flood Risk Assessment

Conclusions relative to aforementioned policies:

NPPF Paragraph 134: In relation to the criteria given, the proposals; a. do not lead to unrestricted sprawl of development; b. do not lead to towns merging; c. assist in safeguarding the countryside from future encroachment by safeguarding the sites future use; d. do not involve an historic town (therefore has no impact); e. The site is close to the identified future school site and secures strong links to existing sports facilities.

CSTP9 - Wellbeing: Leisure and Sport: This document clearly outlines the need for good sports facilities (specific to this area), and the link to communities and schools which this development provides. The following extract is provided for clarity.

The Council and Partners will support the delivery of a physically active, socially inclusive and healthy community through the provision of high quality sports and leisure facilities and appropriate spaces for those that live, work and visit the borough. To achieve this the Council will: ⁃Safeguard existing and future provision of leisure, sports and open space facilities. ⁃Provide facilities for schools and other institutions which can be linked and shared with the community. ⁃Key sites: The Council will work with relevant partners to progress the development of key flagship leisure and sports facilities at key locations to promote regeneration. The flagship sites include: sports and well-being hub at Blackshots-North Grays.

CSTP12 - Education and Learning: This Policy relates to Thurrock’s strategic vision for educational transformation and providing better access to learning opportunities and includes the ‘every child matters’ agenda. It highlights that appropriately sized and located sites are essential. The Policy notes: The integration of schools into multifunctional hubs with linkages to key facilities such as sports and leisure facilities, health and social care.

Evidence Based Background Information

Thurrock’s pupil place plan clearly evidences the significant shortfall of secondary school places from September 2019. The current position in Thurrock is that there is a shortfall of more than 300 secondary school places for September 2019. The Local Authority has supported two successful free school applications to help meet demand including Orsett Heath Academy. Heads of terms have been agreed and signed between the Council and DfE on the land at Orsett Heath. This provides clear intention for that parcel of land as the location of a new secondary school. However this building is unlikely to be available until September 2021 concluding that an interim solution is needed to meet the significantly increased demand for places.

The table below is taken from the Thurrock Pupil Place Plan and shows the increasing shortfall of secondary places moving forward.

The demand from Thurrock families is very clear. William Edwards is the only secondary school in Thurrock to have received more than 300 1st place applications for the last 4 consecutive years. It has received 488 1st place applications for September 2019 for the 250 places available. Parents have been invited to make pre- applications to Orsett Heath Academy and 188 pre-applications have already been received. This is before parents have been made aware of any details of where the interim school will be.

The overall volume of ‘Good’ school places in Thurrock has reduced again recently with four of its secondary schools currently graded category 3 (Requires Improvement) or 4 (serious weaknesses/inadequate) by Ofsted. William Edwards and St Cleres have both accommodated bulge classes for September 2018 to help support the larger pupil numbers leaving the primary phase. The option to accommodate the significantly increased demand for places in September 2019 in bulge classes at ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ secondary schools is not viable given the volume of places needed.

This application provides an exceptional solution to an exceptional school place planning challenge. Two Wave 12 Free school applications were approved for Thurrock as the Department for Education recognised the significantly increasing demand for new secondary places in the borough. Neither of those new schools will be able to accommodate pupils in new accommodation before 2021. This application offers the opportunity to provide at least 120 new ‘Good’ school places for September 2019.

Alternative (If this development does not proceed)

In the event this development does not go ahead, there will be a significant shortfall of pupil places and a significant problem to solve with no robust plan B. The local authority is in an unprecedented position in terms of shortage of secondary school places for September 2019. The application deadline for secondary places for 2019 closed on 28th October 2018 and clearly shows the potential pupil place crisis in the Local Authority. If new secondary school places are not found; If every secondary school, currently open in the borough admits their full Pupil Admission Number (PAN) for 2019, there will be a minimum of 244 children with no offer of a school place in Thurrock. These are not projections but real applications made for 2019 admission. This highlights the urgency associated with finding new secondary school places. Indeed, this number is likely to increase further as late applications are not yet factored in. This would clearly be an untenable position for the Local Authority and disastrous for the families that would be effected.

Social and Economic Considerations Thurrock Rugby Club, William Edwards School and the Trust (SWECET) that runs William Edwards have a well- established and strong relationship. Many Trust staff have played for and/or supported the club for many years and the Club have hosted many tournaments that Trust schools have participated in. Many of the club’s youth division players attend SWECET schools.

This proposal provides an opportunity to utilise this strong relationship between an outstanding educational Trust and well established local Sports club to deliver something exceptional for Thurrock. It provides urgently needed school places in the interim, and a longer term enhancement of specialist educational facilities for sport, performance analysis healthy living and recreation.

Summary of Interim use The building is designed so that it can function as an interim school during the day and as coaching and Rugby education facility in the evenings and at weekends. The building will provide 10 classrooms, including specialist rooms for Science, music and new toilets and changing facilities.

The Rugby Club provides a secure fenced and gated site with much of the infrastructure in place to establish an interim school. Access, drains and services are already in place along with kitchen, large hall, changing room and playing field facilities. It is also located immediately adjacent to the agreed site for Orsett Heath Academy’s permanent site.

Long term use Once the building ceases to be used as an interim school site the facilities will be used for the development of a sports and performance analysis centre and provide specialist provision, creating a ‘Thurrock Institute of Sport’. The facility will be jointly managed by TRFC and SWECET under the terms of the lease.

With both William Edwards and Orsett Heath both selecting 10% of their intake on sporting aptitude, the building would be used for specialist sports provision for both schools. There will be 50 sports aptitude pupils in each year group. The proposed classrooms will be redeveloped to provide specialist Sports Science and performance analysis suites with the latest technology. Various educational provisions would also be housed in the facility during school hours including: • Post 16 sports and PE provision including level 3 courses in partnership with Palmers College (This has been agreed in principle). • All GCSE PE teaching for both schools (William Edwards and Orsett Heath) will take place at the new location. • Tailored PE and Sport curriculum pathways for Sports aptitude pupils. • ’Learning Through Sport’ curriculum will be delivered at this site. This is a well-established, award winning yr 8 and 9 curriculums developed at William Edwards that uses sport as a vehicle to improve literacy. This provision is currently accommodated in demountable classrooms at William Edwards. It will also be part of the curriculum model at Orsett Heath and across the three Trust primary schools.

In addition, this provision will be offered to schools across Thurrock as a literacy enhancement opportunity.

Young athletes and those with a particular aptitude and interest in Rugby will be drawn to this unique provision and benefit from the partnership arrangements between SWECET, Thurrock Rugby Club and Thurrock Harriers. These young sports men and women will be attracted to this unique facility and provision from across Thurrock, Essex and the Eastern region.

The post-16 offer provides an additional talent supply line to two of the most well established Sports Clubs in Thurrock and in doing so supports their sustainability in the long term. This will also provide significant health and wellbeing opportunities to the wider community of Thurrock. TRFC will utilise the facilities in and out of school hours for player development.

Refuse and Recycling Refuse and recycling storage will be provided as shown on the application drawings within a new enclosed accessible compound.

Parking The current parking arrangements result in an overprovision for the Rugby Club. The new school will of course require staff and visitor parking. The proposal provides for 154 car spaces, 9 of which are disabled bays, 7 motorcycle spaces and a large cycle store. Given the two uses will never operate at the same time this is considered more than adequate for purpose. Staff numbers will be as below. Full details can be found in the Transport Assessment submitted with the application.

Flood Risk The site is outside of the flood zone risk area although the site area is in excess of 1ha. A Flood Risk Assessment has therefore been completed and forms part of this application.

Contaminated Land No evidence has been indicated from previous desktop studies and no further investigations are proposed at this stage.

Trees and Planting It can be seen from the proposed drawings there are limited trees and planting on and bounding the site. There is a need to remove a limited number of inconsequential trees although a new landscaping scheme has been proposed including tree planting which will outweigh any loss. A tree survey and report has been included with this application.

Employment.

The development will provide employment for approximately 20 staff for year 1 and 40 staff for year 2 as follows:

Orsett Heath Academy staffing structure – building the model 2019 to 2023

2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 Leadership Principal 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Vice Principal/curriculum 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Assistant Principals 1.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 Teaching Staff* Teachers including core subject 7.0 16.0 29.5 44.0 56.0 leaders in year 1 Separate TLRs – year leaders/ 1.0 4.0 13.5 15.0 18.0 Teaching and learning lead. Educational Support (fte) HLTA 2.4 2.4 4.0 4.0 4.0 Student support (TAs) 2.3 4.1 7.6 9.2 10.6 Attendance & Welfare 0.8 0.8 0.8 Librarian 0.5 0.8 0.8 0.8 Cover Supervisor 0.5 0.8 0.8 0.8 IAG Manager 0.8 0.8 0.8 Technicians 0.5 0.5 2.4 4.8 4.8 Pastoral support 0.5 1.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 Administration Office Manager 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Finance officer 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 HR officer 1.0 1.0 Admin (inc receptionists) 0.8 0.8 2.4 3.2 3.2 ICT /Network Manager 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.5 Data Processor 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.5 Exams Manager 0.8 0.8 0.8 ICT Technician 0.8 0.8 Premises Site Agent 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Caretaker/cleaner 2.4 3.2 3.2 3.2