Hampshire County Council AMENDED DECISION SHEET

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item 7

6 December 2006

Romsey Primary School (Summary of Confidential Decision)

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

(Summary of an EXEMPT decision)

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

That approval be given to:

i)

declare the 1.0 ha site of the former Romsey Infant School surplus to Hampshire County Council requirements, subject to the relocation of existing uses, to allow it to be sold for residential development;

ii)

declare 0.4 ha of the former Romsey Junior School site surplus to County Council requirements to allow it to be sold for residential development subject to the retention of any part of the site required to safeguard satisfactory vehicular access arrangements to the improved education facilities.

iii)

up to 100% of the net sale proceeds being retained by Children's Services as part of a reinvestment scheme to finance improvements and extension to the former Romsey Junior School premises, to enable the new Romsey Primary School and a proposed new Children's Centre to operate from one site;

iv)

seek planning consent for the residential redevelopment of the former Romsey Infant School site, and for 0.4 ha of surplus land at the former Romsey Junior School site, and to enter into any necessary formal agreements with the Local Planning Authority to secure such consents;

v)

conclude an Agreement with the Romsey and District Historic Buildings Preservation Trust (the Trust) to reorganise their existing rights affecting the former Infant School site and to enable the joint sale of land in County Council and in Trust ownership, on terms and conditions to be settled by the Director of Property Business and Regulatory Services; and

vi)

acquire an easement from Testway Housing Ltd to enable an additional pedestrian access to be provided to the retained Primary School site.

2

Reasons

2.1

These decisions support the following Hampshire County Council priorities:

i)

Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all, by helping young people to live positive lives by providing improved school premises to help give the best start possible through our education system; and by improving pupil safety by providing better pedestrian links to the new Primary School

ii)

Enhancing our quality of place, by providing new housing on surplus 'brownfield' land, and by ensuring that the design and quality of the new housing enhances and protects the environment of the area.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

The disposal of alternative or additional land at the former Junior School site was considered but rejected. The proposals retain 2.4 ha school site which is well suited to meet the full educational need including for a playing field.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1

None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

None

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber