Contact: Neil Chester, ext 6496 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for the provision of a classroom block (five teaching spaces, office and WC's) for a temporary period at Linden Education Centre, Queens Road, Farnborough. Notwithstanding the concerns of local residents, the need for the proposal outweighs any minimal increase in traffic. In addition, the proposal is for a temporary period. The recommendation is, therefore, that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

2. Site

2.1 Linden Education Centre is located to the north of South Farnborough Infants School, off Queens Road, Farnborough (see attached location plan). The site currently comprises a brick built permanent teaching and office block and two temporary classrooms. Vehicular access is from Queens Road, past South Farnborough Infants School. To the north lies Salesian College. A pre-school, several community buildings and a recreation ground are situated to the east of the site.

3. Proposal

3.1 As a consequence of recent changes in government policy it is necessary for the County Council to provide additional teaching places for secondary pupils with special educational needs. The catchment area for the Linden Education Centre includes Farnborough, Petersfield, Aldershot, Yateley, Farnham, Alton and Fleet.

3.2 The proposal is to locate a temporary building comprising five teaching spaces, offices and W.C. on the existing site to extend the capacity of Linden Education Centre. The extension will enable the Centre to accommodate an additional twelve students and five staff and will be linked to the temporary classrooms currently on site.

3.3 The proposal also requires the creation of an additional five on-site parking spaces to accommodate the additional teachers. The teachers are regularly required to work in other areas of the County and therefore the majority need access to their car and consequently drive to the Centre. On-street parking is limited on Queens Road, and so off-road parking is essential. The temporary teaching block will occupy much of the open space within the site. Therefore, the proposal is to create the additional car parking immediately behind the existing provision. The staff at the Education Centre will organise parking based upon daily need.

3.4 A temporary permission is sought until 31 August 2007. This time period accords with the temporary permission on the existing temporary classrooms. The proposal will provide a solution to an immediate problem, thus enabling the applicant to seek more acceptable, permanent accommodation within the catchment area.

4. Development Plan

4.1 Hampshire County Structure Plan Review 1996 - 2011 (adopted 2000) Policy T2 refers to parking standards; Policy UB3 refers to design, layout and scale).

4.2 Rushmoor Local Plan Review 1996 - 2011 (adopted 2000) Policy ENV17 refers to development on smaller sites; Policy TR8 refers to highway safety, access and internal layout and parking.

5. Consultations

5.1 Rushmoor Borough Council's comments are awaited.

5.2 The Highways Adviser raises no objections to the proposal, subject to the preparation of a School Travel Plan in association with South Farnborough Infants School to address increases to the school roll.

6. Representations

6.1 The local Member, Councillor Mrs Devereux, has been informed of the proposal.

6.2 Two letters of objection have been received from local residents. The reasons for objection are as follows:

(i) the proposal would result in increased traffic, adversely impacting on the safety of children attending South Farnborough Infants School; and

(ii) the increased number of students attending the Education Centre would result in greater congestion and increased parking on local roads.

7. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

7.1 The proposed building will be of a temporary construction and therefore, does not meet the criteria of policy ENV17 of the Rushmoor Local Plan Review 1996 - 2011 (adopted 2000). It is acknowledged that the proposal is a temporary solution to the changes in government policy and accordingly a temporary permission until 31 August 2007 is sought. This time period accords with the expiry of permission for the existing temporary classrooms on the site (application no. 02/00678/HCC and 01/00279/HCC).

7.2 The proposed increase in teachers and pupils attending the Education Centre will generate additional traffic. The Centre's catchment area is larger than a normal school, and, in addition, teachers are regularly expected to travel to other sites, so that most journeys to the Centre will be made by car.

7.3 Local residents are concerned that additional traffic will adversely impact on highway safety and the safety of pupils attending South Farnborough Infant School. These concerns are noted, but the increase in total journeys will not be significant. Furthermore, although vehicular access to the two sites is shared, there is a separate pedestrian access to South Farnborough Infant School, thus reducing the potential for conflict. The Highways Adviser raises no objections to the proposal. However, it is recommended that a School Travel Plan be prepared to address the transport issues arising from an increasing school roll. This should if possible be prepared in association with South Farnborough Infants School to provide an integrated school transport plan for the locality.

7.4 The current on site parking provision exceeds existing guidance. This is contrary to policy T2 of the Hampshire County Structure Plan 1996 - 2011 (Review) (adopted 2000). However, due to Linden Education Centre's large catchment area the majority of journeys to the site will be made by car. Queens Road is primarily used for residents' parking and therefore the provision of on site parking is necessary. The proposal is to provide five additional parking spaces to accommodate the new teachers.

7.5 Notwithstanding objections, the need for the proposal outweighs the marginal increase in traffic. In addition, the proposal is for a temporary period until more permanent accommodation can be found. The recommendation is therefore that permission be granted, subject to conditions and the submission of a School Travel Plan in association with South Farnborough Infants School.

Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of `Provision of classroom block (five teaching spaces, office and WC's) for a temporary period at Linden Education Centre, Queens Road, Farnborough (03/00590/HCC)' be granted permission subject to the following conditions:

(1) The development hereby permitted shall be for a limited period only, expiring on 31 August 2007 or when the education use ceases, whichever is the sooner. At the expiration of this period the building (as identified on plan no. 11030/TC/03/01) 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 to secure the visual amenity of the locality, as the building is not considered suitable for permanent retention.

(2) Occupation of the buildings shall not commence until provision for the parking of vehicles has been made in accordance with the approved plans. The areas of land so provided shall not be used for any purpose other than the parking of vehicles.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

(3) A School Transport Plan, prepared in association with South Farnborough Infant School, shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority within six months of the date of this permission. The Plan shall be implemented upon approval by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To minimise trip generations associated with the development by the private car and encourage the use of alternative means of travel in compliance with the aims and objectives of PPG13.

Advice Note

The development hereby permitted is for temporary period. It is unlikely that any extensions of time for the development will be approved as the building and layout are not considered appropriate for permanent retention.

8154/NC

APPENDIX

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY STRUCTURE PLAN 1996-2011 (REVIEW) (ADOPTED MARCH 2000)

Policy UB3

All development permitted in accordance with other policies of this Plan should be appropriate in design, scale, layout and density to its surroundings, and contribute to the quality of the built environment.

Policy T2

Within the integrated transportation strategies, parking policies will be promoted with the aim of reducing dependency on car use and encouraging the use of alternative modes of transport.

Development proposals will be required to conform to parking policies and standards which will take into account strategic and local objectives.