Hampshire County Council

Buildings Land and Procurement Panel Item

1 June 2005

Testwood School, Totton

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

How the conclusion in this report fits with the Corporate Strategy

This scheme will impact on the delivery of all Corporate Aims, focusing most immediately on:

Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities: the proposal to provide a synthetic turf pitch will have an immediate benefit for the school and local community.

Aim 5 - improving services: all users of the proposed new facilities will benefit from these proposals.

1

Summary

1.1

Testwood School is located in Testwood Lane, Totton. There are currently 1,036 pupils (11-16 years) on the school roll, most of whom have transferred from Abbotswood and Calmore Junior Schools.

1.2

The school and local community are experiencing an increased demand for formal winter games pitches, especially football. It is therefore proposed to construct a new Synthetic Turf Pitch (STP), suitable for all-year-round use, the surface of which is primarily designed for football but other sports such as rugby and hockey can also be accommodated.

1.3

The total estimated cost of the scheme to provide an STP is £532,423, (excluding fees). The school has been successful in its bid for Football Foundation funding in the sum of £482,423, excluding fees, towards the cost of the STP. A contribution of £50,000, excluding fees, will be made from the School's devolved capital.

1.4

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed STP and the purpose of this report is to outline the proposals and seek approval to the scheme.

2

Scope of the Works

2.1

It is proposed to provide a 103m x 68m sand/rubber crumb filled long-pile STP to be used primarily for football. The pitch will be located on part of the existing school playing fields adjacent to the school buildings. The STP will be fenced off with 3.6m high galvanised weld mesh ball-stop fencing with double leaf vehicle access and a pedestrian gate. An option is proposed for adding a security overhang (500mm) to the top of the fence, which is unobtrusive, but deters would-be climbers.

2.2

The STP will be floodlit using eight 15m high galvanised raise and lower columns. The height of the floodlit columns has a bearing on the distribution of light on the pitch both in evenness and spillage. At 15m the lamps can be set on the horizontal plain, thus negating any tendency to glare or dazzle.

3

Procurement

3.2

A traditional procurement route, via a tendering process, is proposed for the works outlined in this report.

4

Funding and Timing

4.1

The school has been successful in its bid for Football Foundation funding in the sum of £482,423, excluding fees, towards the cost of the STP. A contribution of £50,000, excluding fees, will be made from the School's devolved capital.

4.2

Planning permission for the works outlined in this report has been granted. Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that work will commence on site during June 2005 and be completed during September 2005.

5

Consultation with Local Member

5.1

Councillor David Harrison, the local Member for this area, has been consulted on this scheme and his comments will be reported at the meeting.

Conclusion

This scheme will provide an STP for use by the school and the local community, promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

Recommendation

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that the project appraisal for Testwood School at an estimated cost of £532,423, excluding fees, be approved.