Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

9 May 2002

Lankhills School, Andover Road, Winchester - Disposal of Surplus Land

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

(i) That approval be given to the disposal of approximately 0.83 hectare (2.06 acres) of land at Lankhills School, Andover Road, Winchester on the basis of the draft Development Brief, and the land be offered for sale on the open market on a design/offer basis as set out in the report.

(ii) That a further report on schemes and offers received be brought forward for approval in due course

(iii) That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services be authorised to manage and implement the various sub contract packages up to the value of the capital receipts.

2

Reason(s)

2.1

To ensure that the development of the land is carried out to a high quality and to protect the adjoining retained School site.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

None applicable in view of the above reasons.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or a member or officer consulted

4.1

Not applicable

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

Not applicable

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

9 May 2002

Lankhills School, Andover Road, Winchester - Disposal of Surplus Land

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

This report seeks approval to a Development Brief for surplus land at Lankhills School, Winchester as a basis for the disposal of the land on the open market.

2

Background

2.1

The Education Buildings Sub-Committee approved separate Building Design Project Appraisals for a totally new Lankhills School, and for the extension of Shepherds Down School, Compton. These projects form the core of the reorganisation of special schools for pupils with learning difficulties in the Winchester and Eastleigh area. Construction has already started, and on completion Lankhills School will provide 160 places for pupils aged 11-16 with complex learning difficulties, together with a further 20 places for post-16 students. Shepherds Down School will provide 135 places for primary age pupils with complex learning difficulties. These age-phased schools, catering only for children whose special needs require specialist provision, reflect the increasing inclusion within mainstream schools of children with moderate learning difficulties, in line with national policy.

2.2

In March 2001 the Asset Management Sub-Committee declared 0.83 hectare (2.06 acres) of land at Lankhills School surplus to requirements (together with Tankerville School, Eastleigh and the former Southdown School, Compton) as part of an "in and out" scheme as a contribution to the costs of the building projects at Lankhills School and Shepherds Down School.

2.3

Lankhills School currently occupies a site of 3.4 hectares (8.4 acres). The construction of completely new school buildings and the removal of existing redundant buildings will enable this surplus land to be released upon completion of the School remodelling works.

3

Principal Planning and Development Issues

3.1

The surplus land is located close to Winchester town centre and is suitable for higher density residential redevelopment. It is proposed that the land be offered for sale on a design/offer basis, and a draft Development Brief has been prepared which forms the appendix to this report. A new school access road to adoptable standard (in the approximate position of the existing school access) will be built to serve the site and the retained school. This, together with treed landscape areas and a staff parking area, will act as a buffer between the educational and residential uses.

3.2

The site is of international archaeological significance containing a 4^th Century late Roman era burial ground. Part of the site was excavated in the 1970s revealing over 450 graves. The County Council more recently commissioned an archaeological survey, which recommended further investigation of the extent of the cemetery. The first phase of the excavation took place in the summer of 2000, revealing a further 130 graves. An article on the findings appeared in "Hampshire Now" in spring 2001. The excavation is due to be completed during the summer 2003 once the new school is complete and redundant buildings can be removed. By sensitively excavating the site before the residential development takes place, the County Council will have preserved artefacts for the future, providing an important academic resource.

3.3

The policies of the recently published draft Winchester District Local Plan place greater emphasis upon good design, and seek to maximise accessible development within the existing built-up areas consistent with maintaining and enhancing the character and quality of the environment. Local Plan policies also promote higher densities, including a high proportion of one and two bedroom dwellings, and less car parking. The Brief recognises these issues, and also reflects the Local Planning Authority's requirements with regard to affordable housing and open space.

3.4

Winchester City Council as local planning authority will be consulted on the detailed contents of the Development Brief prior to marketing of the site, and it is proposed that any minor amendments required as a result should be delegated to officers.

3.5

A report on the outcome of the invitation to submit schemes and offers will be brought forward in due course. Marketing will take place prior to completion of the new school in order to minimise any delay in achieving the capital receipt, although completion of any sale will not take place until after the school is finished. However, the extent of the capital receipt will not be known with certainty until after the grant of planning consent. Therefore, there will need to be flexibility within the specification of the scheme and for the project to be cost limited up to the value of the capital receipt.

Recommendations

1

A disposal of approximately 0.83 hectare (2.06 acres) of land at Lankhills School, Andover Road, Winchester be approved on the basis of the draft Development Brief, and the land be offered for sale on the open market on a design/offer basis as set out in the report

2

That a further report on schemes and offers received be brought forward for approval in due course.

3

That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services be given authority to manage and implement the scheme and its various sub contract packages up to the value of the capital receipts.