Archived decisions

Contact: Judith Smallman, ext 5461

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for a new entrance and parking arrangements at Knightwood Primary School, Bellflower Way, Chandlers Ford. Objections have been received from local residents. The recommendation is to approve the application, subject to conditions.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 Planning permission was granted for the new primary school in March 1999. A further permission to extend the school to a 1.5 form entry was granted in December 2002.

2.2 The site, illustrated on the attached plan, is accessed from Knightwood Road between two junctions with Katrine Crescent. It is a sloping site set against a background of trees and forms part of a developing residential area. The school shares a cul-de-sac access, Bellflower Way, with a residential development. Since the school opened problems have been experienced with parents parking cars to drop-off and collect pupils attending the school and then needing to turn their car around to exit the cul-de-sac. It is proposed to provide a drop-off zone within the school site, the entrance to which will be at the lower end of Bellflower Way and the exit through the existing school gates. This would relieve congestion outside the school and enable residents to access their homes more easily.

2.3 A drop-off zone only is proposed as parents tend to drop off their children on the way to work and do not stay very long. It should not therefore result in congestion. During the school day the drop-off area will be used for visitor parking. However, it will not be available for use in the afternoon as some parents arrive very early to pick up their children and not all children come out immediately the school bell rings. This could lead to cars parking for a longer period increasing the likelihood for congestion to occur. It is proposed to have traffic restriction orders along Bellflower Way to prevent any parking during the hours of 0830 and 1530. This, together with the restriction on using the drop-off zone during the afternoon, will serve to make parents aware that there is no parking available at all in the area surrounding the school and therefore have no option but to use the car park at Glendowan Road and walk approximately five/ten minutes to the school. These measures aim to reduce conflict with local residents and increase safety to school children. Five additional car parking spaces are proposed to cater for staff appointed when the new extension at the school is completed.

3. Development Plan

3.1 The Test Valley Local Plan 1996 identifies the need for a new school at Valley Park.

4. Consultations

4.1 Test Valley Borough Council raises no objection.

4.2 North Baddesley Parish Council raises no objection in principle but requests that this is a drop-off zone and not a pick-up zone. Double yellow lines are also requested on both sides of Bellflower Way.

4.3 The County Council (Highways) supports the application to provide enhanced access to the school but is opposed to additional parking.

5. Representations

5.1 The local Member, Councillor Dowden, has been informed of the application and requests that it is a drop-off zone only and not a pick-up zone.

5.2 A letter of concern has been received from a local resident. Concern is expressed about the effect parking restrictions might have on the road. Any restrictions at the bottom of the road will force cars to park further within the cul-de-sac. Further on-site parking in addition to that being proposed is required. The proposed additional spaces are required for existing staff and do not provide any net increase that is required. The provision of a drop-off zone may well attract more traffic into Bellflower Way and is contrary to current central and local government policies which seek to encourage children to walk to school. There are alternative ways of dealing with the traffic problems and the following is recommended:

(i) sufficient parking for the school;

(ii) use of single yellow lines with restrictions on parking when the drop-off zone is in use in the morning, and with no restrictions at other times;

(iii) provision of a pedestrian crossing across Knightwood Road to encourage greater use of the car park in Glendowan Road; and

(iv) clearer signs at the start of the residential part of Bellflower Way to deter illegal traffic there.

6. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

6.1 It is acknowledged that there are access and parking issues at Bellflower Way, creating conflict between school and residential uses. It is also the case that different people have conflicting requirements.

6.2 The comments from a local resident are noted. The additional parking proposed at the school is in accordance with County Council parking standards for staff. Additional parking over and above the standards would not be acceptable as it is County Council policy to restrict car parking at school sites to encourage alternative means of travel.

6.3 The use of single yellow lines with restrictions on parking when the drop-off zone is in use in the morning and with no restrictions at other times would still lead to parking problems for the school and local residents. Parking restrictions to Bellflower Way in the form of double yellow lines is proposed and would give a clearer message to potential parents wishing to park. However it is subject to a separate public consultation process required by Traffic Regulation Orders.

6.4 The school is currently revising its travel plan and will be considering, as part of the process, improvements that can be made to pedestrian access. Overall, it is considered that the control proposal will lead to a great improvement in safety and amenity to the area.

Recommendation

That planning permission for the new vehicle entrance and parking arrangements at Knightwood Primary School, Bellflower Way, Chandlers Ford (Application No. TVS 08347/5) be granted, subject to the following conditions:

(1) The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of five years from the date on which this planning permission was granted.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

(2) Provision shall be made for the parking and turning on site of operatives' and contractors' vehicles during the contract period and this shall be fully implemented before the development commences and shall be retained for the duration of the construction period.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

(3) Measures shall be taken to prevent mud and spoil from vehicles leaving the site during the construction works being deposited on the public highway. These measures shall be implemented before the development commences and shall be retained for the duration of the construction period.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

7765/JS