(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- Upon-Trent

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

Response to the East Staffordshire Borough Council Response to the (ES.16/03) Branston Road High School Planning Application

The short note below provide a response to the ‘key issues’ raised in the response to the Planning Application ES.16/03 Proposed High School, Branston Road, Tatenhill (March 2016) prepared by East Staffordshire Borough Council (ESBC).

The note responds to the key points raised and each of the objections summarised in their report:

1. How the development responds to the three key tests in Policy SP10:

• Demonstration of need within a wider strategy; • The suitability of the location; and • An assessment of impacts in accordance with SP1.

2. Design:

• Concerns over the scale and massing and how the building relates to its immediate context and the design of the proposal in terms of its lack of sensitivity to the rural setting. Object to the proposals in accordance with policies DP1 and SP24.

3. Historic Environment:

• The Borough Council objects to the proposal based upon the impact on the Tatenhill Conservation Area contrary to policy SP25.

4. Transport/ Access:

• The Borough Council objects on the basis of Policy SP1 because it is not convenient or safe to walk to the school.

5. Neighbourhood Plan Polices:

• The Borough Council objects on the basis that the proposal does not conform to Neighbourhood Plan policy SP3, LC1 and RT1.

Need and wider strategy

The secondary school strategy throughout the Local Plan period is modelled on the housing trajectory provided by East Staffordshire Borough Council (ESBC). As referenced in Section 4.0 of the Planning Statement, the Cambridge Education Study (2013) jointly commissioned by ESBC and Staffordshire County Council (SCC), confirmed that there was a need for an additional 14 – 15 form entry (FE) school pupil places required over the ESBC Local Plan period to 2031, and that these places could not be met through existing school sites.

The short term capacity requirement across the Burton area is 10FE by September 2020 and the strategy to deliver this is as follows:

• 8FE provided at the proposed Branston Road High School in September 2018 • 2FE provided at Paulet High School and/or Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic High School by September 2019.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

The long term strategy requires a further 4 - 5FE as follows:

• Up to 3FE by September 2023 and based on the continued housing growth in de Ferrers, Abbot Beyne and Paget catchment; two of these schools would be expanded. • A further 1 - 2FE from September 2027 to address the remaining housing development through the expansion of existing schools.

All expansions are:

• Subject to gaining planning approval for suitable schemes; • Subject to sufficient funding being available; and • Subject to the agreement of the relevant governing body or trust.

As the Cambridge Education Study (2013) identifies, ‘Forecasts indicate that there will be a shortage of places in the secondary sector, which will begin in 2015/16 (a need for 1.3FE), rising gradually to 2019/20 (8.1 FE needed) but rising after that to 10.3 FE in 2022/23 and potentially to 14.2 FE by the end of the planning period’ .

The proposed delivery of a new 8FE secondary school was a decision taken as there is insufficient opportunity to expand the capacity of existing Burton secondary schools to meet the number of additional places needed. This strategy addresses the need to deliver additional places up to 2020 to meet existing demand and additional growth required from new housing in the West, in one single project which is the most cost effective strategy and represents value for money to the taxpayers of East Staffordshire.

As indicated in the AMEC Report (2014) the maximum capacity that can be delivered at existing schools is 7FE. If the strategy was to expand existing schools first there would be shortfall of 1FE in Burton west by 2019 and therefore a new secondary school is still necessary in order to deliver the full 8FE required.

In order to address the 1FE shortfall from 2019 the new school could not be built and operated as a 1FE secondary school. It is to be noted that 85% of secondary schools built by the County Council are 5FE or larger and none are smaller than 4FE. A new school opening with 4 - 5FE, in order to address the shortfall of 1FE, would mean a significant overprovision of places. It would not be possible for the school sponsor to open with 1FE of pupils from a financial, operational, curriculum or safeguarding viewpoint. To ensure its viability the new school would have to fill closer to its capacity which would destabilise existing schools. This approach would therefore create empty classrooms and excess surplus places across the town, which will need to be maintained at a financial burden to the schools.

The optimum time for delivery of the new school is in September 2018, when there is the largest projected growth in the number of Year 7, 8 & 9 pupils due to existing demand and additional pupils expected to be generated from new housing.

In order to safeguard future provision outside of the Local Plan the County Council is currently in negotiations to take out options on land to provide additional places. Due to confidentiality and to maintain our commercial position further details cannot be provided until these options have been secured.

As detailed in the planning application documents, the school has been designed to allow for future expansion if this is appropriate as part of the long term strategy, as detailed in Section 3:07 and 4:04 of the Design and Access Statement.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

The County Council has decided not to build a larger school on this site to avoid putting other local schools at risk, as there would be too much short term capacity in the local area. The immediate need is for an 8FE secondary school and further demand is not expected until post 2020 meaning that the capital investment needed for a secondary school in excess of 8FE is not currently viable. The school has been designed to allow for future expansion based on the actual needs of pupil places rather than on forecasted figures which may change over the Plan period as new development comes forward.

Any proposals to expand the school in the future would be subject to a new planning application which would again be assessed in accordance with the relevant policies of the development framework, environmental considerations including landscape and highways, and the need for secondary school places. Whilst the planning application makes clear that expansion is possible and the design has taken this into consideration, it is an 8FE secondary school and the associated planning and environmental considerations that are the subject of this planning application, and not a larger school.

Suitable location

The site was identified as part of Staffordshire County Council’s Burton upon Trent Schools Site Search report (2014) which sought to identify suitable, available and deliverable sites for delivery of a new secondary school. The report identified this site as one of a possible five sites which were shortlisted – all of which were adjacent but outside the settlement boundary. Following an assessment against the criteria set out in the AMEC Report (2014), Staffordshire County Council has managed to secure options on this site, known as Tatenhill Lane Fields, to meet the needs of the demand for future school places.

Many factors were considered such as:

• Proximity to population and growth locations; • Proximity to existing secondary schools; • Size, shape, orientation, topography, flooding; • Ownership and availability.

The report identifies that this site is well placed to serve the main growth areas and well positioned in relation to the location of other secondary schools. The availability of the site met the need to provide secondary school places by September 2018, it’s in a suitable location to the West of Burton and represents best value of money for council taxpayers. The report concludes that Greenfield development presents better opportunities for education infrastructure.

The school will satisfy an immediate need for secondary school places, is located as such that it will be accessible to new and existing residents, and will be reachable through safe and sustainable transport methods.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

Figure 1.0 – BB103 Gross Site Areas

Secondary School Size Minimum Average Maximum Gross Site Gross Site Gross Site (acres) (acres) (acres)

5FE (750 pupils + 150 post 16) 13.59 15.16 16.73

8FE (1200 pupils + 240 post 16) 20.26 22.70 25.14

10FE (1500 pupils + 300 post 16) 24.71 27.72 30.73

12FE (1800 pupils + 360 post 16) 29.15 32.74 36.34

Review of shortlisted sites

As indicated in section 4.11 of the Planning statement, a total of fourteen sites were considered for a possible new secondary school and following a filtering process based on a selection criteria including topography and flood plain, a total of five sites were retained which included the following:

• Site 1 – Beamhill; • Site 2 – Henhurst; • Site 3 – Shobnall; • Site 4 – Branston Road (South); • Site 5 - Branston Road (North).

Site 1 – Beamhill

This site is currently owned by SCC, approx. 15 acres in size so would need additional land to be procured around it. It presently sits annexed from the development of Burton Town, however, if and when the Beam Hill development is brought forward then the site will be on the periphery of the development.

The site is north of the ideal location due to its proximity to the existing De Ferrers High School which is less than one mile away.

Access is a major issue as Field Lane, which is from the East and the junction of Anslow Road from the North West, is not capable of taking the additional traffic for a new school without major investment.

This fact is supported in the Beam Hill development which is approximately 1000 houses having no access whatsoever from Field Lane or the junction of Anslow Road. It is considered that this issue could be overcome but at significant cost. Access would be gained through the Beam Hill development. Otherwise access is off Field Lane, this in itself will cause issues as the Field Lane/Calais road/Horninglow Road North is far from ideal and requires an improvement given the developments taking place in the locality. Field Lane itself is largely acceptable until you approach the site from the Calais Road end as localised widening along with the provision of a footway and improved lighting will be required. A suitable access though should be achievable. Access through Field Lane will cause a great deal of concern locally.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

Site 2 – Henhurst

The whole site is outside of the development boundary of the Local Plan but the owners had engaged Agents to promote the site for housing and are willing to work with the Council to include a secondary school within the associated development. There were two potential sites for a school within the development.

Site 2b would be in a good location however the land has no direct access and is a sloping site and unlikely to be in the early stage of the development of the site should planning permission be granted.

Site 2a however, could be released early by the development as there is potentially two points of access off Postern Lane – one access is the existing field access between existing frontage properties and the other will be North of Postern House Farm who is one of the farming consortia.

In terms of access several options have been considered as follows:

• Between 25 and 35 Postern road and overall width of approximately 23.5m exists. • This section of Postern Road is 30 mph and given that a footway and grass verge exists a suitable access is achievable. • Should an access be considered South of 59 Postern Road then a footway would be required linking into the existing footway on Postern Road. In terms of providing an access I would suggest that a speed survey is carried out to determine the required visibility splay required at any proposed access. • Land between 150 & 154 Henhurst Hill (B5017) a 30 mph speed limit exists on this section of the road. The overall width appears to be a 12m wide and given the width of a footway and grass verge a suitable access looks achievable. • For access off Henhurst Ridge there appears to be only one point where the adopted highway abuts the potential site; confirm with Land Charges. • From memory, the width of Henhurst Ridge is similar to Aviation Lane. Site measurements for Aviation Lane for a previous pre-application enquiry revealed measured widths of 4.88m & 4.95m. • Henhurst Ridge for its length from Henhurst Hill to the site boundary has footways either side of the carriageway. • No issues with visibility at the Henhurst Ridge/Henhurst Hill Junction. • There are likely to be issues with school coaches and service vehicles accessing the site along Henhurst Ridge. • The experience of a small residential development off Aviation Lane/Henhurst Ridge has shown that there is likely to be great local resistance.

Site 3 – Shobnall

The site has a single access off Shobnall Road just North of Shobnall Primary School. It is a single carriageway made access; however, it is the site on the South and East and is bounded by the National Forest and the future Lawns Farm development. The access is very steep and requires significant investment to form adoptable highway which may or may not be possible.

It is envisaged that a significant amount of earth works would be required to form the access for the school and its associated playing field. Whilst this is possible, it is considered it will be hugely expensive and for this reason the least likely to provide a solution of the high school requirements.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

Access, we would suggest is unachievable as the track is of substandard width and has poor visibility from the track onto Shobnall Road. Site access is bound by adjacent properties with little option for widening (there has been previous objections to any significant increase in traffic generate along this track).

Site 4 – Branston Road (South)

This is the site of Branston Road off the South West extreme of the Lawns Farm development.

The site is currently owned by AI Industries and is adjacent to the recently approved new home for Burton Rugby Club of 40 acres which has received planning approval.

Unfortunately, part of the site is in Flood Plain Zone 2/3; please refer to the latest Flood Plain risk assessment. It is also a site for future mineral extraction identified by the County Council.

The access to the site is over the restricted bridge across the Canal off the South junction for Burton off the A38. Whilst in the short term this could be an issue, in the longer term the development of Lawn Farm includes a new access from the A38 junction across the Canal.

The site is flat and will be, other than the issues above, easily developed subject to planning approval.

Significant infrastructure works in the area are being provided as part of the Branston Locks development and therefore as long as these are provided most of the access issues will be resolved. If the development comes forward first then footway improvements will be required as no footways exist in the vicinity of the site. The underpass between Tatenhill Lane and Main Street, Branston, (under A38) will need to be upgraded in any event.

Site 5 – Branston Road (North)

This is the site of Branston Road off the South West extreme of the Lawns Farm development.

The site is currently under single ownership and is adjacent to the recently approved new home for Burton Rugby Club of 40 acres which has received planning approval.

Unlike the Southern site, the site is outside of the Flood Plain and is prime for development. There are no such mineral extraction plans attached to the site.

The site is predominantly flat with a 4 – 6 m slope approaching towards the escarpment and would be easily developed subject to planning approval.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

underpass between Tatenhill Lane and Main Street, Branston, (under A38) will need to be upgraded in any event.

An assessment against policy SP1

Criteria ESBC Comment Applicant Comment Located on, or with good It is located adjacent to A capital contribution is links to, the strategic Branston Road and the A38 being conditioned by the highway network, and however it is considered County Council for the should not result in vehicles that vehicles would harm provision of traffic calming harming residential residential amenity in measures within the village. amenity, causing highway Tatenhill village due to the safety issues or harming number of cars travelling The bend realignment and the character of open through the village. The cycle/footpaths have been countryside. location of the car park and subject to Road Safety the cycle/walkways which Audit and have not been are on the opposite side of raised as an issue. the road to the school is considered to be a highway Disagree as there is issue when coupled with the extensive pedestrian alignment of the Branston connectivity being Road in this location. There proposed. is a lack of pedestrian footpaths linking the site to A good level of connectivity other parts of Burton e.g. is being provided as part of along Postern Road which the Development which will prevents access by pupi ls. see pedestrian connectivity The proposal does not being provided for pupils comply with policy and this who would approach from issue is expanded upon the direction of Branston, later in the consultation Tatenhill and Shobnall. For response. pupils approaching from the direction of Branston we are proposing to construct a build-out across the existing canal bridge with associated traffic signal control so that pupils can pick up the proposed 3.5 metre wide shared use footway/cycleway within land to the south of Branston Road from immediately west of the existing canal bridge to opposite the proposed school pedestrian access as shown on plan CDX8621/P/SK08C. Pupils would then cross the road using the proposed Toucan crossing facility and associated raised table to access the schoo l entrance.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

For pupils approaching from the direction of Tatenhill we are proposing to construct a priority build-out and associated signage over Yews bridge so that pupils can pick up the proposed 1.8m wide footway on the northern side of Branston Road between Yews bridge and the proposed south western boundary of the school. To accommodate this footway and subsequent widening of the verge, the carriageway will have to be re-aligned on the southern side. This footway will then merge onto a proposed 3.5 metre shared use footway/cycleway that will run on the southern perimeter of the school to the south eastern corner of the site, whereupon it will link to the existing off road cycle route (NCN54). For pupils located at the end of Postern Road, they will be able to walk along Shobnall Road and then along NCN route 54. When Lawns Farm is built-out, they will be able to walk through this development or the realigned NCN Route 54. It is convenient and safe to As above. Whilst the This link has been subject walk, cycle and travel by walkways and cycleways to Road Safety Audit. The public transport. are agreed to be necessary path emerges to a cul-de- it is not considered to be sac with street lit footways safe to walk from Branston along both sides of the road village through the A38 and connects Tatenhill Lane underpass to the school. to Court Farm Lane, thus There is no natural linking the wider pedestrian surveillance of this infrastructure to and from infrastructure. It is also not Branston. The subway is of safe to cross Branston Road acceptable size, clean, in front of the school. reasonably well-lit and frequently used by local residents; it is understood that the existing underpass will be improved during 2015/16 by Highways England including improved

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

lighting. Retains, enhances, expands Proposal seeks to do this Acknowledged. and connects existing green and complies with SP1 and infrastructure assets into SP23. networks within the site and within the wider landscape, setting and historic landscape character Re-uses existing Not possible in this location Acknowledged. buildings….designed to to re-use existing buildings. protect the amenity of the occupiers of residential properties nearby….through good design and landscaping. High quality design which Paragraph 7.45 of the The building utilises a fabric incorporates energy Planning Statement first approach; an efficient considerations and confirms that at present no environmental and renewable energy renewable energy sustainable concept which technologies. technologies have been are at the heart of the incorporated into the principles of the Passivhaus scheme. Whilst this Institute. This approach is approach is compliant with generally accepted and the SCC Climate Change practiced through the Strategy Green Shoots industry and is seen as the scheme, it is not compliant new standard above that of with SP1. BREEAM. ‘The Passivhaus- Institut is responsible for promoting and maintaining the Passive House - Passivhaus building program. The Passivhaus- Passive House sustainable design standards are for specific energy conservation methods and international program for Sustainable architecture design techniques and specifications to create Low-energy houses and other structures with Low energy building practices for the public benefit worldwide’.

Just a few further points to re-iterate: • We are now at 300m2 of PV panels producing over 60kW of energy. • Natural daylighting providing in excess of 4% daylight factor. This provides up to 25%

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

more natural lighting than normal and directly results in 25% reduction in energy consumed. • The highly specified glazing system reduces unwanted solar heat gain by 20% helping to minimise the need for energy hungry cooling. • The heat recovery system helps to reclaim 75% of the waste heat within the building significantly reducing the heat demand. • The building passively utilises free night time cooling helping to minimise the need for cooling. • LED lighting will be used which is 30% more energy efficient than the equivalent fluorescent light fittings. • In addition to the above the building fabric is utilising high levels of insulation and air tightness.

All resulting in a building that performs 10% better than building regulations. In terms of additional evidence, we have the design version of the EPC which shows we achieve a very good B(32) rating.

A Project Note has been included in Appendix 1 of this response.

Developed without incurring SUDS will be used therefore Acknowledged. unacceptable flood risk or proposal complies with SP1. drainage problems and uses Only a small element of the The storm water system is SUDS where appropriate. proposal is in flood zone 2 based on source control and with most in flood zone 1. infiltration to avoid Therefore impacts will be flooding. This would be mitigated. considered as SUDS and has been addressed under section 7.00 of the FRA (attached).

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

We are utilising porous pavement, swales, geo- cellular systems, pond and basins.

Does not harm biodiversity There is tree planting and Acknowledged. but enhances it wherever landscaping associated with possible including the proposal. This complies increasing tree cover, with SP1, SP23 Green especially as part of the Infrastructure and SP29 National Forest. Biodiversity and Geodiversity.

Creates well designed and Not applicable to this Acknowledged. located publicly accessible application. open space.

Would demonstrably help to Not applicable to this Acknowledged. support the viability of local application. facilities, business and the local community or does not harm viability of existing local facilities or business.

Would contribute towards Not applicable to this Acknowledged. the creation of sustainable application. communities through the provision of a mixture of housing types and tenures.

Uses locally sourced, The Design and Access Acknowledged. sustainable or recycled Statement sets out that the construction materials proposal complies with this (including wood products component of SP1. from the National Forest where this is appropriate), sustainable waste management practices and minimises construction waste.

Safeguards the long term It is not known what the An assessment of the capability of best and most agricultural land effects of the proposed versatile agricultural land classification is therefore development in terms of (Grade 1, 2, and 3s) as a until more information is agricultural land quality and resource for the future. supplied the proposal does agricultural businesses is not comply. included in Chapter 11 Agricultural Land of the ES. The Site comprises approximately 11.7ha of agricultural land. The Site has been subject to an Agricultural Land

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

Classificationi which divides land into five grades according to its quality. The Site comprises Grade 3b agricultural land (moderate quality). This is not considered to be ‘best and most versatile 1’ agricultural land. The ES assessment acknowledges that it is not possible to reduce or mitigate the effects of the loss of agricultural land and therefore a minor/moderate adverse effect will occur as a result of the development.

The ES chapter also acknowledges that the development will also result in a minor adverse effect on the operation of two agricultural businesses.

Would result in the removal Not applicable to this Acknowledged. or contamination and other application. environmental problems associated with the site.

Design

As identified in the planning submission documents, the Development consists of two buildings - an academic building and a sport block building.

The positioning of the buildings on the Site has been carefully explored in order to respond to the surrounding natural, rural environment and following consultation with key stakeholders – as identified in the Statement of Community Involvement.

The buildings have been positioned to consider the relationship to Battlestead Hill and Lawns Farm Cottage – the nearest residential property; and the ability to provide sports and recreation surfaces; car parking facilities; pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular ways; infrastructure and green development while incorporating the maximum retention of the existing tree belt, hedgerows, shrubs and vegetation.

By assessing the landscape and visual effects the development of the site layout has undergone a sequential test which was explained at the Public Information Events and subsequently described in Chapter 4 and 7 of the Environmental Statement and in the Statement of Community Involvement. This has been demonstrated in a series of photomontages included in Chapter 7 of the Environmental Statement (‘Block’ Visualisations; Figures 7.11 – 7.13).

1 Agricultural land graded between Grades 1 and 3a.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

Figure 2.0 – Sequential Test Diagrams Presented at the Public Information Event

By ‘bedding’ the buildings into the rear plateau of the Site we are reducing the visual impact and respecting the views across the site as you travel along Branston Road while using the height of the hillside to help mask the silhouette of the proposed school. This also reduces the amount of ground remodelling which will reduce the impact on the natural environment. The two-storey sport building has been located near to the boundary in order to set down the height of the school in order to respond to the location of Lawns Farm Cottage and the future residential development of Branston Locks. The building has been set back a sufficient distance away from Lawns Farm Cottage in order to protect their amenities and offer some discretion to the facilities to the rear of the school before the escarpment to Battlestead Hill.

The building is therefore set back as far as reasonable into the site which will allow the natural perspective to diminish its profile and mass and to allow the building to ‘nestle’ in the landscape and lessen its imposition against the backdrop of Battlestead Hill. Extensive landscaping and new tree and hedgerow planting to the fore of the building will serve to break up the building profile. Rear elevations and roofscape have received equal treatments and consideration in order to respond to views from Battlestead Hill.

In response to pre-application discussion with Consultees and Stakeholders alike - and with due reference to Staffordshire Planning for Landscape Change; the proposed landscape strategy is organic in its form which is to offset the geometries of the buildings and to respond to its current rural location and its future incorporation within the proposed urban expansion.

The design proposes to blend the school building into the landscape with extensive tree planting. This will include a mixture of large standard trees adjacent to the building, along the main pedestrian access route and through the car park. Extensive broadleaf native woodland planting will be used around the perimeter of the site to form a buffy to the surrounding woodland and strengthen the wildlife corridors. Maximising the use of translocated hedgerows and the introduction of new hedgerows with standard trees will be planted to mitigate the loss of some existing hedgerows. Species rich grassland mixes will be used to further enhance the sites biodiversity.

The building form is based on a series of plans produced by Architects that specialise in education buildings. These Architects were appointed by the Education Funding Agency (EFA). The EFA promote the use of these plans as benchmarks for educational design. These plans can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/baseline- designs-for-schools-guidance/baseline-designs-for-schools-guidance . The proposed building form is the logical choice to respond to the site context and landscape profile. Its design and layout inherently offers efficiencies in construction and internal organisations as well a balance in scale and height.

Inspiration can be found in many things; the teaching, people and place. The building as sited provides an environment that would provide an inspiration setting that would support both an academic and pastoral model of education. The internal environment

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

should also support learning by being bright, airy and comfortable spaces – all of which we are achieving. These requirements are further promoted by the EFA guidance notes. To achieve these requirements thought must be put into the composition of façade and how they interface with the mechanics of a building - one will have an effect on the other. Therefore, proportion and order are founded in the quality of light within the classrooms, the healthy air quality to promote better concentration levels and better learning, the positioning of glazing to support passive supervision; to mention just a few considerations in school design. All of these elements are woven into the aesthetic to provide school where pupils and teachers will feel supported and nurtured, reinforcing the sense of pride at the school.

The village’s vernacular and physicality are maintained by the careful consideration of the siting of the building and the choice of materials. The village, although predominantly brick, expresses a broad expanse of materials and colours as can demonstrated by a walk through the village and the use of photographic evidence.

Materials chosen are traditional and are found in the vernacular of the neighbouring buildings and settlements. The composition while modern draws its influence from good school design. The siting uses the topography and perspective to reduce the impact of the building. The scale of the buildings respects the existing adjacent properties, their amenity and privacy. The landscape has been developed with the National Forest to support the soft landscaping.

The facades are broken up in both elevation and the depth of the material detailed. We agree that on the whole the building has a uniform eaves; although it does step down from one building to the next, which helps with the massing. Also, the building will predominantly be seen in perspective, rarely in elevational drawings which give false viewpoint. Should pitched roofs be incorporated on the existing composition we believe the scheme would be in danger of increasing disproportionately in scale and massing; a concern that has been raised a number of times in the objections tabled.

The façade is built up of a number of layers based on simple proportion. The main element of the façade is the hoops; piers and beams are expressed in brick. The preferred brick offers strong aris’ therefore to provide a sharp relief to the next material; the timber cladding and an engineered solution that provides sharp returns to the next material; the glazing. This approach of layering provides depth to the façade that may not be fully understood from the elevations; however the visuals do imply this depth. The greatest depth demonstrated in the visuals is the first floor cantilever.

The considered scheme is of proportionate to the number of pupils that will attend the school. The design relates to its own context and should stand on its own merits as highlighted in other responses. Without context for curves and why they were used we are un-sure the benefits that taking adhoc elements of buildings that have no other context than being a school an incorporating them on this scheme.

Each school should be explored against the constraints, vision and various other issues that may affect the form of a building, never mind a school. For example, issues of overlooking needs to be addressed. Where as in education the form of the building needs to take into account the outdoor learning offer and the education model and the internal arrangements need to be strong to support learning.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

Historic environment

An assessment of potential for effects on the Tatenhill Conservation Area, which lies adjacent to the site has been undertaken and is set out in detail in the Heritage Statement which forms Appendix 8.1 to the ES. The assessment of the potential for likely significant effects on cultural heritage, set out in Chapter 8 of the ES has drawn on the evidence provided in this report to conclude that there would be negligible/ neutral effects on the Conservation Area (and the listed buildings within the Conservation Area) as a result of the proposed development during both the construction and operational phase.

As set out in the Heritage Statement, there would be no impacts to listed buildings within Tatenhill Conservation Area as a result of the development proposals, as the prominent intervening ridge of East Hill serves to screen views from the village core and the site. The key views identified within the ‘Landscape and Setting’ section of the Tatenhill Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan include views from the northern part of the Conservation Area towards Battlestead Hill, views into the village from the footpaths to the east, and the views from the main street along paddocks out to the surrounding landscape. None of these views would be affected by the proposed development. Views to and from Battlestead Hill are also considered to be important and the impacts to views from the hill have been considered in Chapter 7 of the ES (Landscape and Visual Impact). Viewpoints D, E and F (see Chapter 7 of the ES for full details) indicate that the proposed development would be clearly visible in views to the south-east from National Forest Way footpath which runs along the crest of Battlestead Hill. It is acknowledged in the assessment that this would have an urbanising effect upon the largely rural character of the Trent Valley Washlands which dominate the views to the south-east from Battlestead Hill. Committed developments to the north (Lawns Farm) and east (Burton Rugby Club) which benefit from outline planning permission have also been considered in the assessment and these schemes will also have adverse impacts on the views across the Trent Washlands and the expansion of development on the western side of Burton-on-Trent continuing as far as the boundary of the Tatenhill Conservation Area. Nevertheless, the ridge of Battlestead Hill will continue to provide a ‘buffer’ between the historic core of the village and the committed schemes. It is considered that the historic rural character of the Conservations Area’s wider setting does not contribute to its significance.

It is also noted that as the National Forest woodland planting on Battlestead Hill matures, the views across the Trent Washlands will become increasingly restricted.

Similarly, the potential for effects on the Grand Union Canal Conservation Area have been considered in the Heritage Statement. Viewpoints J, K & L taken from locations within the Conservation Area (see Chapter 7 of the ES for full details) show that the proposed development would be visible in glimpsed views only. Should the Lawns Farm and Burton Rugby Club developments proceed, then views of the proposed development would be screened further by intervening built form and landscaping. Furthermore, it is considered that the significance of the Grand Union Canal Conservation Area is largely enshrined in the historic value of the canal architecture and more distant views would not impinge on the significance.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

Transport

As indicated in the Section 9.3 of the Transport Assessment (TA), a total of 182 staff including both teaching and non-teaching is forecast to work at the new school in 2022 and 2031 when the school is full. For robustness it has been assumed that all staff will arrive and leave in the recognised peak hours. The 2011 Census special workplace statistics data (Table WU03BUK at output area to workplace zone geographies) was utilised to provide a staff trip distribution. The traffic impact modelling results and ultimately the mitigation measures proposed account for the forecasted staff vehicle movements.

Additional future school provision in Burton is required for the forecast local increase of children in Burton and not to attract students from other areas.

Towards the end of the Local Plan period assumptions cannot be made in relation to the relative attractiveness of different schools. It has been assumed that any current spare capacity at Burton schools will be filled in future years; 2022 and 2031 in particular.

The existing area to the west of the railway, south of the A5189 immediately surrounds the new school and for these residents the new school will represent local secondary provision.

The area surrounding the A5121 is currently within the catchment of Abbot Beyne School but some pupils living there currently gain admission to the nearby The de Ferrers Academy. The area surrounding the hospital is currently within the catchment of Paget High but again some pupils living there currently gain admission to The de Ferrers Academy. Residential developments within The de Ferrers Academy catchment area are likely to result in the school achieving its admission numbers from within the defined catchment. It has been assumed that students not able to attend The de Ferrers Academy are likely to select the new school as their preference under those circumstances.

For the existing residential areas that are likely to attend the new school the number of students has been estimated from the number of residential properties counted using GIS software ArcMap and the AddressBase database and again applied to the formula of 0.03 students per school year per household. It is appropriate to estimate the students for existing residential areas in this way as for the 2031 scenario many students for whom school places are being provided have not yet been born and there will be an element of student migration due to house moves.

Figures 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4 of the Transport Assessment show the expected home location of students. Tables 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 provide details of the number of students expected to be generated from each development site and existing residential area. In 2022 and 2031 the school is expected to be fully occupied.

The student mode split was then determined from this distribution of trips.

In order to comply with their home to school transport duties Staffordshire County Council must:

• Promote the use of sustainable travel and transport • Make transport arrangements for all eligible children

The Department for Education defines children eligible for free school travel. This includes statutory walking distance eligibility and unsafe route eligibility on the basis that

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

the students are unable to walk to school. Students not eligible for assistance with transport are therefore considered able to walk.

The Council’s policy states that secondary school students are eligible when attending their nearest and/ or catchment school if they live beyond a 3 mile walk or the route for walking is not considered to be safe.

The Staffordshire County Council’s ‘Home to School/ college Travel Policy and Guidance’, June 2015 is available at the following web address: http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/education/schoolsandcolleges/Schooltransport/Transpor tPolicy/Travel-assistance-policy-June-2015-PDF-version.pdf

As indicated in Section 9.5 of the TA, Visography TRACC accessibility planning software was utilised to calculate a three mile walking threshold using safe walking routes. The software assumes a walk speed of 4.8kph which equates to a maximum of a one hour walk time.

For students who live within this threshold, an expected mode split has been calculated using PLASC (student level annual school census) data for 2010 for Paulet high School, Paget high School and Abbot Beyne School. These schools are all located within Burton and have entirely urban catchment areas where it is reasonable to assume that all children could walk to school. Some students currently travel to these schools using public service buses, dedicated school buses and by taxi. These results have been excluded as it is not likely that a public service bus will be provided in close proximity to the school and students within a 3 mile walk are unlikely to be eligible to travel by either dedicated school bus or taxi.

Whilst each of these schools has a catchment area, some students in Burton currently attend a school which is not considered to be their catchment school. Data for all students on the roll of each of the above school was utilised to provide a mode split. Percentages were then calculated to exclude bus and taxi as these modes are not anticipated to be provided at Branston Road High School.

As stated, some of the routes are reliant on third party land and the County Council will be placing a condition that the school cannot open until the pedestrian cycle links through the land to the south of Branston Road, to the west of Yews bridge, and between Yews bridge and the south western boundary of the school are provided. The connectivity as part of the Lawns Farm development is conditioned to be provided as part of that. However it should be noted that there is existing connectivity currently available through this area via the NCN route 54 and also the canal towpath.

A good level of connectivity is being proposed as part of the Development which will see pedestrian connectivity being provided for pupils who would approach from the direction of Branston, Tatenhill and Shobnall. For pupils approaching from the direction of Branston we are proposing to construct a build-out across the existing canal bridge with associated traffic signal control so that pupils can pick up the proposed 3.5 metre wide shared use footway/cycleway within land to the south of Branston Road from immediately west of the existing canal bridge to opposite the proposed school pedestrian access as shown on plan CDX8621/P/SK08C. Pupils would then cross the road using the proposed Toucan crossing facility and associated raised table to access the school entrance. For pupils approaching from the direction of Tatenhill we are proposing to construct a priority build-out and associated signage over Yews bridge so that pupils can pick up the proposed 1.8m wide footway on the northern side of Branston Road between Yews bridge and the proposed south western boundary of the school. To accommodate

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

this footway and subsequent widening of the verge, the carriageway will have to be realigned on the southern side. This footway will then merge onto a proposed 3.5 metre shared use footway/cycleway that will run on the southern perimeter of the school to the south eastern corner of the site, whereupon it will link to the existing off road cycle route (NCN54). For pupils located at the end of Postern Road, they will be able to walk along Shobnall Road and then along NCN route 54. When Lawns Farm is built-out, they will be able to walk through this development or the realigned NCN Route 54.

The walking route from Branston village through the A38 underpass to the school has been subject to Road Safety Audit. The path emerges to a cul-de-sac with street lit footways along both sides of the road and connects Tatenhill Lane to Court Farm Lane, thus linking the wider pedestrian infrastructure to and from Branston. The subway is of acceptable size, clean, reasonably well-lit and frequently used by local residents; it is understood that the existing underpass will be improved during 2015/16 by Highways England including improved lighting.

The TA reflects the fact that the spine road which serves the Lawns Farm development is only partially constructed in the Interim Year 2022 and thus shows levels of queuing at particular junctions. Due to this, the vehicles to the north of the Lawns Farm development will egress the site from the south exclusively and subsequently migrate north, which will in turn cause junctions to the south to experience greater traffic volumes fed by the southbound traffic movement, including the junctions along Branston Road. In the 2031 Future Year, the Lawns Farm development spine road is fully constructed and operational and therefore queuing and delay is reduced. We are forecasting on ‘worst case’ scenarios.

The TA takes account of the likelihood that parents will not return to their home address in the morning having dropped student(s) at school and travel from their home address in the afternoon to pick up student(s) at the end of the school day. The assumption has been made that all student trips will egress the PUDO area following drop-off and be proportionally distributed across the network in compliance with the existing network AM trip proportions. Likewise during the PM peak period, all outbound student trips within the PM peak shall be proportionally distributed across the network based on the existing network PM trip turning proportions.

Neighbourhood Plan Polices

The Proposed Development accords with the made policies of the Tatenhill and Rangemore Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) (2016) as evidenced in the submitted planning application documents. For ease of reference we have prepared a “roadmap” illustrating where the relevant information and evidence for each of the made policies of the NDP can be found. This has been previously submitted as part of our review of the review of the made policies of the NDP.

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

Appendix 1

Sustainability: Green Shoots Compliance Project Note

(ES.16/03) Branston Road High School, Tatenhill, Burton- upon-Trent

Appendix 2

Roadmap to NDP Policy information

i MAFF, Agricultural Land Classification , October 1988.