Barton Seagrave Primary School Providing New Teaching Spaces to Accommodate a Three Form Entry School
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## Agenda Item No: 6b DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE 30 July 2013 REPORT BY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING Application 13/00012/CCDFUL for the extension and refurbishment of Barton Seagrave Primary School providing new teaching spaces to accommodate a three form entry school. The Subject: proposals also includes improvements to external areas and on site parking, Barton Seagrave Primary School, Belvoir Drive, Barton Seagrave, Kettering NN15 6QY NCC (Property Asset Management) Applicant: That this application be granted planning permission subject to Recommendations: the conditions in Appendix 1 1. Purpose of Report 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with professional planning advice on any issues, development plan policies and other material considerations relevant to the determination of the planning application. 2. Relevant Priority Outcomes Our perspectives and priority outcomes show how we will go about achieving our vision: “Proud to make Northamptonshire a great place to live and work” Perspective Outcome Customers - to achieve our vision, A cleaner, greener and more prosperous what will our customers see? County 3. Background 3.1 Barton Seagrave Primary School is a two form entry school (420 pupil capacity with 416 pupils on the school roll). The school was historically separate infant and junior schools but was subsequently amalgamated in name although it remains two separate buildings for junior and infant pupils. The existing buff brick buildings are single storey with a mixture of flat and low angled pitch roofs. The school buildings are not listed, are not located within a Conservation Area and are located in an area considered to be at low probability of flooding (Flood Zone 1). 3.2 The school is in a residential area and is accessed from the east via a single lane and footpath from Belvoir Drive which runs through Wallis Spinney. Alternative pedestrian routes into the site are available through the adjacent Latimer Arts School immediately to the north. Surrounding the southern and western site boundaries are the gardens of residential properties located on Fitzwilliam Drive and Grosvenor Way respectively. These properties are separated from the school buildings by the existing playing fields and established hedgerows and trees. 3.3 Wallis Spinney runs along the length of the eastern boundary of the site. According to the County Council’s records Wallis Spinney is named after a local farmer, Samuel Wallis. Wallis Spinney was part of a hall and estate owned since the 18th century by Richard Tibbits. In 1904 it was bought by Charles Wicksteed from the Tibbits family. It is thought that most trees were planted in the 17th century, although it is probable that woodland was present prior to this. There is evidence of coppicing, hedge-laying and a boundary ditch, possibly from a medieval field system. Today it is owned by the Wicksteed Trust and leased to Barton Seagrave Residents Association Pocket Park Committee. It is managed by the Wallis Spinney Pocket Park Group. 4. Proposal 4.1 The County Council as the Local Education Authority is facing unprecedented demand for primary school places in Northamptonshire. This demand for primary school places is a well-publicised national issue that in the context of Northamptonshire combines the national rise in the birth rate with high levels of immigration to the county. There is a Government commitment to provide choice and diversity for parents and this is difficult to achieve when there is no surplus capacity in the system. 4.2 To increase primary places in the Barton Seagrave area it is proposed to increase the intake at the subject site to three form entry. The proposed changes would allow the school to increase its intake from 420 to 630 pupils with approximately 15 additional staff members bringing staff numbers on site to 75 (35 full time, 40 part time). It is proposed that the site would continue to provide breakfast and after school clubs for children attending the school. 4.3 To enable the expansion a number of works are proposed and in terms of the proposed built development these can be separated into six key parts: The main extension is proposed to link the two existing school buildings and would provide three new Year Two classrooms and one new Year Three classroom. The classes would be accessed from a central breakout corridor with toilet and storage areas. This part of the extension would also provide a new entrance and reception area, a medical room, and five offices. Adjacent to the north of the proposed main extension it is proposed to increase the footprint of an existing Year Three classroom by extending it outward to the east. The extension would bring the classroom size into line with guidance on recommended class sizes. A small infill extension on the north elevation at the Junior School, in conjunction with significant internal alterations, is proposed to create two Year Four classrooms. Again in conjunction with internal alterations, infilling on the west elevation at the existing Junior School is proposed to create a further classroom and large storage area. A larger infill, which would in reality project from the existing line of the boundary, is proposed on the west elevation at the Infant School to create an additional Year One classroom. An extension is also proposed at the north-east corner of the Junior School to create two new classrooms and accompanying cloakrooms and stores for Year 5 and Year 6. 4.4 It is not proposed to match the existing brickwork but rather use alternative materials that are intended to complement the existing colour and appearance of the school. The application sets out proposals to use coloured render and timber cladding with coloured glazing in places. 4.5 To facilitate improvements in parking and access at the site these proposals include the demolition of the disused Premises Manager’s house and garage. The existing site has 24 parking spaces and two disabled spaces whereas the proposed scheme would increase that number to 51 parking spaces plus and four disabled spaces along with a minibus bay. The proposals would also see the removal of the existing mobile classrooms which are located to the east and west of the infant school building. 4.6 Lighting and landscaping schemes have also been submitted and the latter includes proposals to replace the school wildlife garden that has been removed between the main school buildings. 4.7 There are currently 18 uncovered cycle spaces on site with the expansion proposing to increase this provision to forty spaces (18 covered). 5. Consultation 5.1 The following is a summary of the responses received during the consultation on this application. 5.2 Kettering Borough Council (KBC) Planning – No objection subject to conditions. In particular KBC considers the proposals are acceptable in principle and in terms of design, visual amenity, impact on neighbours and impact on the adjacent Wallis Spinney (protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)). KBC has asked that conditions secure the following: Materials used in the construction of the buildings to match those set out in the application. A revised arboricultural report to be submitted which acknowledges the adjacent Wallis Spinney and details how it will be protected, including details of no dig zones, a scheme of root protection and existing and finished ground levels with the root zone areas. 5.3 While not objecting to the proposals, KBC did raise concerns that the proposed parking design is not acceptable. In particular KBC considers that the disabled and mini-bus parking bays are inadequate in size and that the proposed back to back parking bays are not in accordance with policy. 5.4 A revised arboricultural report has since been submitted by the applicant and was sent to KBC for further comment. No further response has been received from KBC on this matter. 5.5 KBC Environmental Health Officer (EHO) – No objection. 5.6 Highway Authority – No objection. Following KBC’s concerns regarding parking the matter was discussed further with the Highway Authority. The Highway Authority does not share KBC’s concerns regarding the proposed back to back parking as the school can manage this matter on site although Highways acknowledge that their view would be different if it was a commercial arrangement rather than a school site. 5.7 Barton Seagrave Parish Council – No objection subject to a condition securing the use of the additional parking bays within the site for parents/guardians dropping off and picking up their children. This requested condition reflects the parish’s concerns about a 50 percent increase in traffic movements and corresponding increases in congestion on Belvoir Drive and the surrounding areas at peak times, including the junction of Woodland Avenue/Barton Road where improvement works are proposed but yet to be undertaken. 5.8 Sport England – No objection but requested a condition requiring full details of the proposed construction compound and access to be submitted with any affected areas of soft play area to be restored following completion of the development. 5.9 Environment Agency – No objection and provided reference to their Flood Risk Standing Advice (FRSA). This advice requires the applicant to consider the surface water management good practice advice in their application. 5.10 The Crime Prevention Design Adviser (CPDA) at Northamptonshire Police – No formal objection to the proposed development but recommends: The development complies with the requirements of Secured by Design for Schools 2010 (www.securedbydesign.com) in so far as is practical. All ground floor windows and others that are easily accessible meet BS7950 or equivalent with laminated glazing to 6.8 millimetres minimum thickness. All external doors to conform to PAS23/PAS247 or equivalent with access control to staff room and office areas.