Archived decisions

Contact: Martin Leeds, ext 6733

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for the above mentioned development. Objections have been received from East Hampshire District Council.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 The school, which is a community school, has the majority of the existing buildings situated in the southern half of its campus (see attached location plan). To the south, west and partly on its south-eastern boundary are residential properties. The properties to the south are situated on higher ground than the main school buildings and have long gardens (approximately 26 metres) facing towards the school. North and east of the school buildings are school playing fields. Access serving the school is by way of an existing entrance from Cranford Road.

2.2 The proposed development for the drama studio would be situated adjacent to the northern side of the existing single storey drama studio near the southern boundary. The new building would be flat-roofed to match other school buildings and finished in facing bricks. It is also intended to partly refurbish the existing drama building to provide changing rooms with toilet facilities for the new drama studio.

2.3 The new drama studio building is to be constructed on the existing tarmac car parking area which accommodates 25 vehicles. As part of this development it is intended to construct a replacement car park of 25 spaces south-west of the new building. The new development does not affect the number of pupils on the roll.

2.4 As part of the development it is also intended to carry out landscaping with a main paved courtyard between the new drama studio and existing music block. Some tree planting is to be undertaken in addition to other planting around the car parking area.

2.5 Phase 1 (drama studio and replacement car parking area) would be carried out first; Phase 2 (music block extension with covered link) is subject to funding being available.

3. Development Plan

3.1 The East Hampshire District Local Plan: First Review February 1998 shows the site as an existing school within the defined built-up area of Petersfield.

4. Consultations

4.1 The local Member, Councillor West, has been informed of the proposal.

4.2 Petersfield Town Council has no objection in principle but requests that adequate sound proofing is incorporated into the structure.

4.3 East Hampshire District Council's Environmental Health Officer has no objection in principle, subject to conditions.

4.4 From a transport point of view there is no objection in principle.

5. District Council's Views

5.1 East Hampshire District Council has objected on the following grounds:

(i) Design of extension is poor because of its bulk and materials being used, resulting in a bland development; therefore contrary to Policy GS5 of Local Plan and aims of PPG1.

(ii) Proposal fails to address possible nuisance to local residents from noise within the building and close proximity of car parking to residential properties; contrary to Policy GS5 of Local Plan.

(iii) Proposal would result in unacceptable increase in vehicular traffic using this substandard access, resulting in undue interference with the safety and convenience of other highway users; contrary to Policy GS5 of Local Plan.

(iv) Proposal is likely to generate an unacceptable increase in vehicular traffic using a substandard access junction with Cranford Road to the detriment of highway safety; contrary to Policy GS5 of Local Plan.

(v) Roads leading to and from the site are of inadequate capacity, width/alignment to accommodate safely the additional traffic which the proposed development would generate; contrary to Policy GS5 of Local Plan.

6. Officer's Comments

6.1 The community school exists and therefore has an established use within the defined built-up area of Petersfield where extensions to a school would normally be permitted.

6.2 The issues are:

(i) design of the building in relation to the existing school buildings;

(ii) potential noise emission from the development;

(iii) generation of traffic and access to/from the development; and

(iv) Local Plan policy.

7543/ML