Contact: Katie Snell, ext 5938 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for a new 210 place primary school with a specialist Visual Impairment Resource Provision Unit, to replace the existing SCOLA building at Kings Copse Primary School, Kings Copse Road, Hedge End, Southampton.

1.2 The new school will provide modern facilities in suitable grounds for the pupils. Three letters of objection have been received about parking, traffic and visual amenity issues. The reduction in parking is in line with Government Policy. However, it is acknowledged that this reduction might not be popular, so options for addressing the matter are being investigated. Amenity issues and landscaping can be dealt with satisfactorily by condition. Subject to the parking issue being resolved it is recommended that permission should be granted.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 A new one form entry primary school is being proposed to replace the existing SCOLA building at Kings Copse Road, Hedge End, Southampton. The existing school site is 4 hectares. The new school would be located on a 1.6 hectare site to the east of the existing school building. The remaining area has outline planning permission for a residential development granted 5 December 2005, and will be sold.

2.2 The SCOLA building will be demolished upon completion of the new school. The new school will include accommodation for 210 pupils and also a specialist Visual Impairment Resource Provision Unit. The building is arranged in two parallel blocks with steeply pitched roofs inter-connected by a block with a flat roof which provides the main circulation routes through the school.

2.3 The design proposes two parallel pitch roofed blocks connected by two single story blocks with a central courtyard. The Entrance pitched roofed block would contain Reception, Administration, Kitchen, Hall, Music and Drama and plant and has an eaves height of 4.5 metres to accommodate the height required in the Hall. The other pitched roof block would contain the main teaching spaces and has a lower eaves height of 2.7 metres. The roof forms reflect the nature of the internal spaces. The classrooms would have proprietary roof-lights to maximise the daylight and natural ventilation levels and the hall would have a series of high level windows for the same purpose. The classroom screens to the north-elevation would be recessed by 1.2 metres allowing for the pitch roof to create a canopy. This block would also contain the specialist Visual Impairment Resource Provision Unit.

2.4 The larger single storey block to the south would contain the Library, ICT, Tutorial, Craft and Food, and the smaller block to the north would contain the staff room, staff work room and ancillary sanitary accommodation.

2.5 A simple palette of materials has been chosen for the external envelope of the new school building, the intention being that these will weather with age and require the minimum amount of maintenance. They will consist of: standing seam zinc to the steeply-pitched roofs; good quality Hampshire stock bricks to the external walls; polyester powder-coated aluminium-framed glazing; a high performance membrane for the flat roofs and a painted exposed steel frame.

2.6 The existing parking to the south-west of the existing school building will be removed and a new school staff car park with 11 spaces provided to the south of the proposed school building. The staff car park includes an accessible space for a disabled member of staff which may be used by disabled visitors by special arrangement with the school. A dedicated area for drop-off for the visually impaired pupils at the school will be provided.

2.7 A turning area for delivery vehicles would be provided to enable them to leave the site in forward gear.

2.8 It is proposed to segregate pedestrians and vehicles via raised planting beds and a 1.2 metre high safety fence.

2.9 Outside there will be a junior-sized grass playing field, and a formal hard-surfaced play court, to accommodate one full-sized netball court and informal hard play areas accessed directly from the classrooms, library and circulation areas. There are other soft-grassed areas that can be enhanced by the school as part of the landscape development plan.

2.10 The new building has been placed in the middle of the site and will provide the focus for the proposed landscape scheme, that includes a screen of planted trees and shrubs on the western boundary of the site to separate it from the future residential development. The low-level planting around the building and edges of the external play areas soften the design and provide visual interest and a potential learning resource for the children.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Eastleigh Borough Local Plan Review (2001-2011) Adopted May 2006 shows this site to be within the built-up area of Hedge End. This proposal accords with 186.IN (Community Facilities) and 59.BE (Design).

4. Consultations

4.1 Eastleigh Borough Council has no objection subject to transport and design considerations.

4.2 Environmental Health Officer (Eastleigh ) has no objection subject to environmental conditions.

4.3 Highway Adviser raises no objection.

4.4 Hedge End Town Council raises no objection.

4.5 Botley Parish Council raises no objection but commented upon the need for a revised school travel plan and traffic management issues.

4.6 Bursledon Parish Council has been informed.

4.7 Councillor Blampied, the local Member for Botley and Hedge End, has no objection subject to traffic safety issues being addressed.

4.8 The local Member, Councillor House, has been informed.

5. Representations

5.1 Three letters of objection have been received from local residents concerned about traffic, parent parking, the loss of open space and the level of screening.

6. Report of Site Visit

6.1 A site visit took place on 29 January 2007 attended by Committee Members Councillors Beagley, Cooper, Hockley and James, with Councillor Heath in the chair, together with Councillors Blampied and House.

6.2 The Chief Planning Adviser introduced the application and outlined the key features of the proposed application for the replacement of a one-form entry primary school to provide accommodation for 210 pupils and 10 pupils with visual impairment, to be situated to the east of the existing school. The scheme provided for 11 car parking spaces for staff and no visitor parking. The remainder of the land would be sold for development and planning permission for housing had been granted by Eastleigh Borough Council. The scheme had received support from Eastleigh Borough Council. Only 3 letters of objection had been received from local residents raising issues of screening and parent car parking.

6.3 The applicant displayed detailed plans and talked Members through the accommodation details which had been jointly agreed between Children's Services and Eastleigh Borough Council.

6.4 Members viewed the existing school and looked at where the new building would be located. Members agreed that the proposals were much improved facilities but expressed concern and disappointment with the lack of staff car parking and parking for community use. They agreed that there was a need to know about the community usage and car parking.

6.5 Councillor House described the school catchment area to assist Members with the possible numbers of parents using their cars and also those parents who live near to the school and could walk their children to school.

6.6 Councillor Blampied supported the proposals but highlighted the problem of parking. Even in the existing condition traffic movements were restricted because parents parked on one side of the road, and with the new housing development there would be an increase in traffic.

7. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

7.1 The proposal will provide modern school facilities in an updated building, in suitable grounds for the pupils. This project has taken approximately three years to formulate. Over this time various meetings and consultations have been undertaken with staff, school Governors, Eastleigh Borough Council and local residents.

7.2 The Borough Council has no objection but has raised a number of issues including: safety and cleanliness of the site during the construction period; drainage; traffic; and parking and various design details. Eastleigh's Environmental Health Officer echoed the issues relating to amenity and working practices. These points can be dealt with in standard practices and conditions.

7.3 The Environment Agency initially raised a query over the maintenance of the drainage system. Further information in the form of a drainage system scheme has been received, which deals with this matter satisfactorily.

7.4 The letters of objection from local residents and Botley Parish Council have raised concern regarding Travel Plans and traffic management. The main concern is the removal of the existing, on-site parent parking provision.

7.5 The existing parent parking area cannot be retained as the land would no longer be within the school's estate or part of the Children's Services portfolio. Whilst provision is made for staff parking, a new on-site area for parent parking would be very difficult to accommodate and also to justify as a productive use of land. The only location would be to the right of the proposed pedestrian entrance, would require cutting and filling due to sloping levels, and would result in the loss of the intended screening.

7.6 The reduction in on-site parking is in line with County Council policy and supported by Childrens' Services, however it is acknowledged that this will require alternative access arrangements for parents/children and staff. Accordingly, alternative accommodation for some parent parking is being proposed by a Park-and-Walk scheme at Norman Roddaway playing fields and an agreement is in place with Hedge End Town Committee for this to happen, funded through the Safer Routes to School project. As the playing fields are to be used by the pupils of the new school the proposal should be well-used. An updated school travel plan is anticipated as part of the new development.

7.7 Additional to the parent parking matter are the arrangements for staff parking. Eleven spaces are proposed (including one disabled parking space) and Members at the site visit queried the adequacy of this. The Architect has been asked to advise whether further spaces can be accommodated and this will be reported at the Committee meeting. With regard to staff numbers, according to the school's web-site there are eight full time staff, three part-timers, two administrative personnel, eight assistants and seven others (caretakers, lunch supervisory assistants, etc). Notwithstanding this, the proposed staff car spaces to classroom ratio is in accordance with standards and, moreover, additional demand can be met at the parent parking facility at the Norman Roddaway playing fields.

7.8 The nature of both the existing and proposed residential areas around the school has been taken into account when preparing the proposed landscaping scheme, although the development does rely on the retention as far as possible of some mature planting. Overall the design of the buildings is acceptable and does not need heavy screening. However, it is suggested by one resident that the pedestrian access be realigned to avoid direct views into the site. This is a matter that can be picked up at the approval of details. Other amenity issues such as construction times, access and practices can be dealt with satisfactorily by condition.

7.9 In conclusion, the school building will offer pupils better facilities. The amenity and environmental factors can be addressed satisfactorily by condition and there are no significant adverse environmental, safety or amenity issues associated with this development. It is acknowledged that the proposed school will have a degree of adverse traffic impact, but the solution cannot be more on-site parking as this is never enough and places an unreasonable burden on the applicant. The right response is alternative provision, such as the Park-and-Walk facility, with management measures included in a Travel Plan and a degree of acceptance that there are likely to be some local problems. The latter have to be considered proportionately and in conjunction with the benefits of the development. Therefore it is considered that both pupils and local residents will benefit from this proposal and planning permission is recommended, subject to conditions.

Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of a new 210 place primary school, with a specialist Visual Impairment Resource Provision Unit, to replace existing SCOLA building at Kings Copse Primary School, Kings Copse Road, Hedge End, Southampton (Application No. S/06/58445), be granted for the following reason, subject to the following conditions:

Reason for Approval

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 and convenience.

Conditions

Time Limits

(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.

Hours of Working

(2) There shall be no access to or egress from the development site by any traffic associated with the construction/demolition (ie no delivery vehicles, no contractors' cars, nor plant and machinery) in the morning between 0830-0915 hours and in the afternoon between 1515-1545 hours.

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

(3) 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 Monday to Friday inclusive; 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.

Materials

(4) Samples and/or details of the materials and finishes to be used for the external walls and roofs of the proposed buildings shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority in writing before the development commences.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to secure a satisfactory development.

Highways

(5) Measures shall be taken to prevent mud and spoil from vehicles leaving the site during the demolition works being deposited on the public highway. These measures shall be implemented before the development commences and thereafter maintained. No vehicle shall leave the site unless its wheels have been cleaned sufficiently to prevent mud being carried onto the public highway. In the event that any mud or spoil is deposited on the highway, it shall be cleaned off at the end of each working day.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

Demolition

(6) The existing school building, as shown on Plan P6139-P02, shall be demolished within three months of occupancy of the new development, unless as otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority. All resultant materials to be removed from site at the end of each working day.

Reason: To ensure the removal of the redundant building and to reduce the possibility of stockpiling waste.

Landscaping

(7) Within 12 months of development commencing a detailed scheme of landscaping for the perimeter of the site shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval in writing. The scheme shall specify the types, sizes and species of all trees and shrubs to be planted; details of all trees to be retained; and details of fencing/enclosure of the site, phasing and timescales for carrying out the works, and provision for future maintenance. Any trees or shrubs which, within a period of five years from the date of planting, die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species. The scheme shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity.

(8) The trees marked as 68, 74 and 79 Oak on the approved site layout (P6139-P02 dated 26 October 2006) shall be retained and protected during demolition works, together with the trees around the periphery of the site. All the trees and landscaped areas which are to be retained shall be protected from damage during the demolition works by the erection of protective fencing, comprising 2.4 metre high `Heras type' fencing, enclosing the crown spread of the trees. The fencing shall be erected before the works commence and shall be retained throughout the contract period.

Reason: In the interests of amenity, to ensure that the trees on the site are not damaged by the development/demolition work.

Advice Notes

(9) A revised School Transport Plan should be submitted and agreed 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.

(10) It is expected that the Park-and-Walk (Norman Rodaway Pavilion) scheme shall be in place and operational before the development is occupied.

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.

1189/KS

Annexe to Reason for Conditions

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

(General Procedure) Order 1995 - as amended)

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Eastleigh Borough Local Plan Review (2001-2011) Adopted May 2006

COMMUNITY FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPERS' CONTRIBUTIONS

186.IN Proposals for the provision, replacement, extension or improvement of facilities for use by the community will be permitted within the urban edge provided they will not adversely affect the residential amenity of the occupiers of neighbouring properties by reason of noise, disturbance, smells, floodlighting or other factors.

59.BE Development proposals which are in accordance with the other policies in this plan will be permitted provided they meet all the following criteria:

(i) They take full and proper account of the context of the site including the character and appearance of the locality or neighbourhood and are appropriate in mass, scale, materials, layout, density, design and siting, both in themselves and in relation to adjoining buildings, spaces and views, natural features and trees worthy of retention;

(ii) They make the most efficient use of the land;

(iii) They incorporate an appropriate mix of dwelling type and land-use where appropriate;

(iv) They provide a high standard of landscape design and appropriate planting where required. Development should use native plants in landscape schemes to benefit biodiversity. Development adjacent to or within the urban edge must not have an adverse impact on the setting of the settlement in the surrounding countryside;

(v) They have a satisfactory means of access and layout for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians including appropriate links to surrounding footpaths, cycleways and public transport services;

(vi) Include, where appropriate, provision for the secure storage of bicycles;

(vii) They are an appropriate use for the locality and avoid unduly interfering, disturbing or conflicting with adjoining or nearby uses, especially in terms of noise, fumes, dust, overlooking, loss of daylight, loss of outlook, vibration, or from floodlighting or security lighting;

(viii) They make adequate provision for the storage and collection of refuse and where appropriate include facilities for the collection of recyclable materials;

(ix) They include, where appropriate, measures which provide shade and protection from the sun; and

(x) New development should reduce the potential for criminal activity and anti-social behaviour by the use of appropriate design.