Contact: Martin Leeds, ext 6733

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for the provision of a temporary classroom unit (one at each of the above mentioned schools) for a limited period of four years. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has raised objection to both applications. However, it is recommended that planning permission be granted to both applications for the limited period.

2. Sites and Proposals

Hurst Community School, Brimpton Road, Baughurst

2.1 The Hurst Community School, illustrated on the attached plans, is situated in a campus containing a large number of trees, with residential development to its north-east and south-east boundaries and open fields on the north-west boundary. Brimpton Road forms its south-west/south-east boundary.

2.2 Two temporary classrooms on the site were condemned and have been demolished. There is therefore a need to replace these with a large single unit to meet the needs of the school curriculum for the start of the school year in September. The new building is to go in the same position as the previous two classroom units at the rear of the main school buildings adjacent to a block of garages which serve the adjoining residential area. Due to a large number of trees on the school campus the proposed site is the only location for the unit to be placed. Between the garage block and the site of the new unit there is existing tall dense hedging with trees. The temporary unit would be adequately screened from the nearest dwelling which is approximately 30 metres away from the site.

2.3 No extra staff are required as a result of the development.

The Vyne Community School, Vyne Road, Basingstoke

2.4 The Vyne Community School, illustrated on the attached plans, is situated in a large campus, primarily within a residential area. Due to rising numbers on the roll it is necessary to move a Nursery Unit from within the main teaching space into temporary accommodation.

2.5 The proposed temporary classroom unit is to be sited at the rear of the main school buildings on a grassed area which has tall dense hedging with trees on its northern boundary (gardens to the nearby housing about this boundary) and the main school building to its south. Smaller ancillary school buildings lie to the west. This temporary unit will be a special building as it has to fit on to the small grassed area and will therefore be narrower than a normal temporary classroom.

2.6 It is not envisaged that any additional staff would be required.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan 1991-2001, adopted 1998, shows The Hurst Community School site as an existing school within the defined built-up area for Tadley West, and The Vyne Community School site as an existing school within the defined built-up area for Basingstoke.

3.2 Policy E6 of the adopted Local Plan states that, where they are wholly within existing school premises and are in accordance with other policies of the Local Plan, the Borough Council will give favourable consideration to development proposals by the Education Authority to provide an appropriate level of education facilities.

4. Consultations

4.1 Baughurst Parish Council and the local Member, Councillor Allen, support the proposal for The Hurst Community School. No comments have been received from the local Member, Councillor Mrs Frankum, regarding the proposal at The Vyne Community School.

5. Borough Council's Views

5.1 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has raised objections to both applications as follows:

"The proposed building, due to its temporary nature, materials and design is out of keeping with the area, contrary to Policy UB3 and other relevant policies of the Hampshire County Structure Plan and Policies GS1, CD100, CD101, CD103 and other relevant policies of the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan".

6. County Planning Officer's Comments

6.1 The objections by the Borough Council are noted. Policy UB3 of the Structure Plan, and Policies GS1, CD100, CD101 and CD103 of the Borough Local Plan relate to general development control criteria, building design, materials and suitability of development.

6.2 It is unreasonable to expect temporary classroom buildings to meet all the criteria for design included in local plans. The temporary buildings are of a modular design and are therefore not constructed in brick or with tiled roofs, which are used when a school is constructed. Furthermore, temporary classrooms are not intended to be long term developments, but provide a stop gap until the issue of permanent teaching accommodation is resolved.

6.3 The temporary classroom units are needed due to circumstances that have recently arisen at both schools. Both units will be screened by tall hedging and trees.

6.4 It is considered that the siting of these two temporary classrooms is acceptable and therefore, notwithstanding the objection by the Borough Council, planning permission should be granted for the required temporary period.

Recommendations

1. That planning permission for the provision of a temporary unit to provide drama, dance and judo facilities (until 31 August 2006) at The Hurst Community School, Brimpton Road, Baughurst, near Tadley (Application No. BDB/53254) be approved, subject to the following condition:

(1) The temporary building hereby permitted shall be sited for a limited period expiring on 31 August 2006 or when the education use ceases, whichever is the sooner, at the end of which the building shall be removed and the land reinstated to its former condition as soon as possible.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and because the building is not considered suitable for permanent retention.

2. That planning permission for the provision of a temporary unit to provide a playgroup (until 31 August 2006) at The Vyne Community School, Vyne Road, Basingstoke (Application No. BDB/53255) be approved, subject to the following conditions:

(1) The temporary building hereby permitted shall be sited for a limited period expiring on 31 August 2006 or when the education use ceases, whichever is the sooner, at the end of which the building shall be removed and the land reinstated to its former condition as soon as possible.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and because the building is not considered suitable for permanent retention.

(2) The existing screen hedging on the northern boundary of the site shall be retained.

Reason: To help screen the temporary classroom.

7354/ML