Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

21 September 2005

Strategy for Primary School Provision in Hedge End, West End and

Botley Areas - Kings Copse Primary School

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

How the conclusion in this report fits in with the Corporate Strategy

This scheme will impact on the delivery of the following Corporate Aims:

Aim 1 - Maximising life opportunities by maintaining a high standard of primary school provision and meeting the needs of new development in the locality.

Aim 2 - Stewardship of the environment by ensuring vacant surplus land is brought into productive use, thus making effective use of the Council's property resources whilst seeking a high quality of design for the new development.

Aim 5 - Improving services by providing additional primary school places to meet the needs of new development, and by replacing older school buildings with a new school.

1

Executive Summary

1.1

This report considers the property and financial implications of the strategy for the reorganisation of primary school provision in the Hedge End, West End and Botley areas. Approval is sought to apply up to 100% of the net capital receipt from the sale of surplus land at Kings Copse Primary School towards the implementation of the strategy. It further seeks approval to enter into legal agreements with Eastleigh Borough Council relating to planning obligations being sought in connection with the grant of outline planning consent for this surplus land. This approval is necessary at this time in order to allow planning matters to be finalised with Eastleigh Borough Council prior to marketing and subsequent disposal of the surplus area on the open market.

2

Background

2.1

In March 2005, the Education Policy Review Committee considered a report by the County Education Officer on proposals for the future pattern of primary school provision in Hedge End, West End and Botley. A Review was conducted to consider the supply and likely future demand for primary school places in the area, including the requirements of new residential development. The Review was undertaken following full public consultations with all the affected schools in the area on the various options available.

2.2

Following these consultations, a strategy for primary school provision in the area has been agreed, involving the following:

i)

the establishment of a new one form entry primary school on land to be provided as part of the new residential development at Dowds Farm, Hedge End;

ii)

the provision of a replacement one form entry primary school to be built on the Kings Copse Primary School site to include a specialist visit for visually impaired pupils;

iii)

the rationalisation and improvement of teaching and learning facilities at Freegrounds Infants School and Shamblehurst Primary School, including the replacement of temporary classrooms.

It is anticipated that the new school premises at Dowds Farm and Kings Copse Primary School will be operational with effect from September 2007.

3

Financial implications

3.1

The proposed strategy involves substantial investment in new and adapted existing educational facilities which it is intended would be funded from a combination of:

a)

capital receipts from sale of surplus sites;

b)

developers contributions as part of the Dowds Farm development;

c)

capital programme 2006/2007; and

d)

schools' devolved capital

4

Planning application/project appraisals

4.1

Capital receipts to fund this reinvestment strategy are required from the disposal of two sites, and the sale of land at Moorgreen Road, West End was approved by the Executive Member (Policy and Resources) on 14 April 2005.

4.2

Further enabling funding is envisaged from the sale of surplus land on Kings Copse Primary School site following the replacement of the existing school. To establish the level of capital receipt likely to be forthcoming, (and therefore the funding available for this reinvestment strategy) an outline planning application was made to Eastleigh Borough Council in August 2005 proposing residential development of this surplus area. It is anticipated that any planning consent granted will be subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement relating to the provision of affordable housing and public open space.

5

Land disposal

5.1

The existing Kings Copse Primary School occupies a site totalling 4 hectares (9.89 acres). It was purchased in 1973 with an intention of establishing an infant and junior school on this site. However, only a single primary school was ever opened on this site, this being of SCOLA 3 system construction built in 1975.

5.2

In considering the future options as part of the Review, regard has been had to the future costs in use of the existing buildings, together with the need for adaption and rationalisation works to reduce surplus capacity.

5.3

The conclusion of this study is that a robust and cost-effective solution would be the replacement of the existing structures with new buildings to provide a 210-place primary school. It is also proposed that a 10-place unit for visually impaired pupils be established on this site.

5.4

After reserving sufficient land for the new school, this will result in an area of 2.43 hectares (6 acres) becoming potentially surplus and available for disposal. A Planning and Design Brief has been prepared for the site to assist Eastleigh Borough Council in its determination of the outline planning application. It is intended that the Brief will also support the marketing process, and assist in the selection of a suitable purchaser/developer.

5.5

The site cannot be released until the completion of the new school buildings, planned for September 2007. However, following receipt of outline planning consent it is intended to market these sites during 2006 to enable the selected developer to obtain detailed planning consent for the approved scheme and be ready for a start on site immediately following the vacation of the existing school premises.

5.6

Details of offers and schemes obtained following marketing will be reported back to the Executive Member for approval of the preferred purchasers.

5.7

Application for consent has been made to the Secretary of State under Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 in respect of the proposed disposal of part of the school grounds which will no longer be required for the new school which will be built on the eastern part of the existing school site.

5.8

The determination of the relevant planning applications and consultations may raise the wider issue of public open space and other developments on Council owned land elsewhere in the Borough. This will be the subject of further reports.

6

Consultation with local Member

6.1

Councillor Derek Blampied (County Council Member for Botley and Hedge End) has been advised of the proposal to develop this site within his electoral division. He has indicated his support for the scheme and the proposal to invest the capital receipt in improvements to other schools in the area.

Recommendations

That:

1

2.43 hectares (6 acres) of Kings Copse Primary School site be declared surplus to County Council requirements to enable its sale for redevelopment;

2

up to 100% of the net capital receipt from the sale of this site to be applied towards the implantation of the agreed strategy for primary school provision in the Hedge End, West End and Botley areas.

3

the County Council enter into legal agreements with Eastleigh Borough Council relating to the planning obligations sought in connection with the grant of outline planning consent for residential development on detailed terms to be settled by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates)