Contact: Martin Leeds, ext 6733 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought by the County Council for a new Day Care Centre for pre-school children within the existing school campus of the Trosnant Infant and Junior Schools, Stockheath Lane, Havant. Havant Borough Council has raised an objection to the proposal as the application did not have a Green Travel Plan to demonstrate how traffic to and from the school will be managed; and would be likely to encourage the parking of vehicles in Chilcombe Close. Notwithstanding the objection, the recommendation is to grant permission, subject to conditions.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 The school campus, illustrated on the attached location plan, consists of the existing Trosnant Infant and Junior Schools and is within a residential area. The main access to the schools is from Stockheath Lane to the west. Chilcombe Close cul-de-sac to the east provides a pedestrian link to the school site. To the north of the campus is a recreation ground with housing beyond. Between the Recreation Ground and the school campus are existing trees/hedging. To the south of the school buildings are the school playing fields.

2.2 The proposal would comprise a single storey pitch-roofed building 325 square metres in area. The external materials (facing brickwork and weatherboarding) would match, as far as possible, those on the nearby school buildings, and would be situated to the north-east of the Infant School. The building would be detached from the main school building. Five small trees would be lost but replacement trees will be planted. Existing parking arrangements would be revised: two existing spaces would be relocated and an additional eight spaces provided.

The proposals have been amended to include a footpath between the car park and building entrance, particularly to accommodate pushchairs and wheelchair users.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Hampshire County Structure Plan 1996-2011 (Review) (Adopted March 2000) Policy UB3 (appropriate development) applies.

3.2 Havant Borough District-Wide Local Plan 1996-2011 (Adopted September 2005) Policy D1 (high quality design) applies.

4. Consultations

4.1 Havant Borough Council raises objection as, in the absence of a Green Travel Plan and information demonstrating to the contrary, the development of the site in the manner proposed would be likely to encourage the parking of vehicles in Chilcombe Close, which would interrupt the free-flow of traffic, be detrimental to highway safety and be a nuisance to local residents. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy T5 of the Hampshire County Structure Plan 1996-2011(Review) and Policies T6 (T13) and T9 (T17) of the Havant Borough District-Wide Local Plan 1996-2011.

4.2 The Highways Adviser raises no objection, subject to conditions to require submission of a School Travel Plan and implementation of the footpath between the car park and the entrance to the new building.

4.3 The local Member, Councillor Mrs Buckley comments that the design of the building blends well with existing buildings on the site. She is aware of problems of vandalism at the school. There is a problem with parking in Chilcombe Close at school start and finish time, with many cars parking in the road. She has witnessed cars parking on yellow lines in front of school.

4.4 Councillor Edwards has also been informed.

5. Representations

5.1 Two letters of objection have been received from a resident of Chilcombe Close raising concern about vandalism, parking and noise. The school has a serious problem with vandalism and one resident is concerned that their house is close to the proposed new building and so will attract vandals. Chilcombe Close is blocked off with cars dropping off or picking up children, cars park on the zig-zag yellow lines, block the emergency vehicle entrance and block the driveway. Parking causes danger for children coming in and out of school. A neighbouring garden shares a boundary with the site, and the objection is on the grounds that noise from the play area will disturb the enjoyment of the garden.

6. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

6.1 The main issue in relation to this application is concern at parking in Chilcombe Close, a residential cul-de-sac next to the school. This is not the main entrance to the school, although it is a pedestrian access and emergency entrance.

6.2 It is acknowledged that there is a problem of parents of the children going to and from the Junior and Infant school parking in Chilcombe Close. The implementation of a School Travel Plan is likely to reduce the problems, and this can be secured by planning condition. In addition, the traffic appraisal submitted with the application anticipated that 60 per cent of pupils would be brought to the site on foot, and that 64 per cent of staff would cycle or walk. Therefore this proposal to accommodate day-care provision for very young children would not significantly increase the problem. Indeed the implementation of a School Travel Plan would help address the issues raised by Havant Borough Council in its objection.

6.3 In conclusion, it is recognised that there is a parking issue at the school affecting Chilcombe Close, but this is not significantly affected by this proposal. The comments on noise and vandalism are appreciated but the development is unlikely to materially affect existing circumstances. Therefore it is recommended to grant permission subject to conditions, including the requirement for a School Travel Plan.

Recommendation

That planning permission for Trosnant Infant School, Stockheath Lane, Havant - new single storey building to house full day care provision for children from three months to five years (pre-school) (Application No. 05/59810/004) (County Council Ref. No. HVE016) be granted for the following reason, and subject to the following conditions.

Reason for Approval

It is considered that the proposal would be in accordance with the Development Plan (summary attached) and would not materially harm the character of the area or the amenity of local residents and would be acceptable in terms of highway safety.

Conditions

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

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

(2) The external materials to be used shall match as closely as possible in type, colour and texture to those on the nearby school buildings.

Reason: To secure a satisfactory development.

(3) Before development is commenced, details and alignment of the pedestrian link from the proposed car park to the building to be constructed shall be submitted in writing to, and approved by, the Local Planning Authority. The pedestrian link shall have been constructed before the use of the building is commenced.

Reason: To improve on-site access for pedestrians and in the interest of highway safety.

(4) Occupation of the building shall not commence until provision for the parking, turning, loading and unloading of vehicles has been made within the curtilage. The area of land so provided shall not be used for any purpose other than the parking, turning loading and unloading of vehicles.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

(5) Within three months from the commencement of use of the Day Care Centre, a School Travel Plan shall have been submitted in writing to and agreed by the Local Planning Authority. The agreed School Travel Plan shall be operational within the following three months.

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 Policy PPG13.

(6) No later than two months from the start of construction works for the new Day Care Centre, details of the proposed planting shall be submitted in writing to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The agreed details shall be implemented in the first planting season following completion of the construction works.

Reason: To secure a satisfactory planting scheme.

(7) There shall be no access to the development site by any traffic associated with the construction/demolition (ie no delivery vehicles, no contractors' cars, nor plant and machinery) between the hours of 0830 and 0915, and 1440 and 1520 on normal school days.

Reason: In the interests of public safety and to avoid traffic conflict at the times of the day when pupils are arriving at and departing from school.

(8) No work relating to the construction of the development approved, including works of preparation prior to operations, the delivery of construction materials, skips or machinery, nor the removal of waste materials, shall take place before 0800 hours or after 1800 hours from Monday to Friday inclusive, or before 0800 hours or after 1400 hours on Saturday, and not at all on Sunday or recognised public holidays, unless otherwise agreed beforehand in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To protect the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties.

(9) Any external security lighting used, either fixed to the proposed building or free-standing, shall be positioned so that when in use it does not shine directly into the nearby residential properties.

Reason: To protect the amenities of occupiers of nearby residential properties.

736/ML

Annexe to Reasons for /Conditions

(as required by Article 22 of the Town and Country Planning

(General Procedure) Order 1995 - as amended)

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Hampshire County Structure Plan 1996-2011(Review) (Adopted March 2000)

Policy UB3 (appropriate development)

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.

Havant Borough District-Wide Local Plan 1996-2011 (Adopted September 2005)

Policy D1 High Quality Design

Development will be permitted provided it achieves [in terms of siting, massing, scale, proportion, alignment, rhythm, layout, materials (finishes, details, features), spaces and views] all of the following:

(i) creates an attractive environment that has its own distinctive identity but which respects and enhances local character;

(ii) ensures the efficient use of land;

(iii) provides safe and access to facilities and public transport;

(iv) does not adversely affect the amenities of occupiers of neighbouring properties.