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

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for the construction of a single storey 1,790 square metre floorspace extension to the existing Romsey Primary School, Mercer Way, Romsey, to comprise:

(i) three classrooms;

(ii) Nursery;

(iii) Community Room;

(iv) Children's Centre;

(vii) in addition to the refurbishment of the existing single storey SCOLA school building.

1.2 The main access will be from Mercer Way as at present. Two letters have been received, one from a local resident concerned about certain aspects of the development, such as pedestrian gated entrances, lighting of footways, cycle storage, etc. The other, is an objection from the Romsey and District Society on two points of detail: no mention of the school's proposed wind turbine, and an issue of children having to cross an internal car park..

2. Recommendation

Notwithstanding the letters of concern and objection, that planning permission be granted subject to the following reason for approval and conditions set out in Appendix 1.

Reason for Approval

It is considered that the proposal would be in accordance with the development plan (summary attached in Appendix 2) and would not materially harm the character of the area or the amenity of local residents and would be acceptable in highway safety.

3. Site and Proposal

3.1 The existing single storey Romsey Primary School is within a primarily residential area (see attached location plan). There are numerous mature trees on all its boundaries and the school building is situated in the northern part of the school campus. The southern half of the site contains the school playing field. Access and car parking to the campus is from Mercer Way on the northern boundary. There is also an existing pedestrian access off Cupernham Lane to the east. Housing adjoins the northern, eastern and western boundaries whilst to the south is Great Well Drive which has residential properties.

3.2 A general reduction in pupil numbers led to the Romsey Review of Primary Schools Provision in 2004. Following lengthy consultation with the public, schools, governors, residents and parents, it was eventually decided to amalgamate the two schools on the larger Junior School site. From August 2006, the Infant School ceased to be a named school whilst in September, the Junior School officially became the Romsey Primary School.

3.3 The proposed extensions will be a single storey development with courtyard and will be constructed south of the southern elevation of the existing School building. The new extensions will comprise:

(i) 3 classrooms;

(ii) Nursery;

(iii) Community Room

(iv) Children's Centre.

3.4 The Children's Centre would provide help and support to parents on a drop-in basis with crèche, meeting room and office facility. The new development also retains and improves the school's existing community facilities by the incorporation of a stand alone Community Room for breakfast and after-school clubs and extra curricular activities.

3.5 A 15 spaces staff car park, including one disabled space, would be provided inside the school grounds near the main entrance on Mercer Way. In addition, a four car space parking area for staff and visitors with drop-off facility would be provided due south of the main staff car park for use with the Early Years Centre. Extra footpath links from the school site to Mercer Way to the north, Latham Road to the west and to Great Well Drive to the south will be provided. It is anticipated these links, which are to be gate controlled, would help reduce some of the traffic problems currently associated with the normal school dropping-off / pick-up times.

3.6 The Primary School will be vacated from the end of the 2007 summer term in July and be temporarily accommodated on the former Romsey Infant School site. This will be for approximately 40 weeks whilst the new works and refurbishments are carried out at the Primary School. A separate planning application for the temporary accommodation has been submitted; it is anticipated these units would go on site over the Easter period.

4. Development Plan

4.1 Test Valley Borough Local Plan 2006 (Adopted June 2006) shows the site as an existing school (but not annotated) within the defined Settlement Policy boundary for Romsey. The proposed development accords with Policies DES 05 (Layout and Siting), DES 06 (Scale, Height and Massing), DES 07 (Appearance, Details and Materials).

4.2 Hampshire County Structure Plan 1996-2011 (Review) [Adopted 2000]. The relevant Policy is UB3 (Design and compatibility).

Consultations

5.1 Test Valley Borough Council's views are awaited although initial indications are that there is no objection subject to conditions.

5.2 The Environment Agency has no objection in principle.

5.3 Romsey Town Council has no objection.

5.4 Southampton Airport has no objection as the proposed development as it does not conflict with their airport safeguarding criteria.

5.5 The local Member Councillor Cooper has been informed.

5.6 The Highways Adviser's comments are awaited.

6. Representations

6.1 One letter has been received from a local resident, not objecting but requested clarification on various aspects of the proposed development. These points included the gated access points to be provided, provision of external lighting, cycle storage, provision of a safe crossing patrol person, what is proposed for the old existing car park area adjoining the north of the school site.

6.2 A letter from the Romsey and District Society has been received objecting on two points of detail which are:

(i) they are disappointed to find no mention of the proposed wind turbine to be installed as included in the previous application.

(ii) Children on foot using the Cupernham Lane pedestrian entrance to the school will have to cross a car park to get to the school entrance.

7. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

7.1 The proposed wind turbine referred to by the Romsey and District Society was dealt with under a separate planning application and was approved in December 2006. It is still the intention to develop the proposal for the school. It is true that children arriving of foot from Cupernham Lane will need to cross between the staff car park and the staff/visitor parking for the Early Years Unit. This is unavoidable. However it is not considered a hazard as the crossover point will be raised slightly above ground level and priority movement will be given to the pedestrians.

7.2 Regarding the comments from the local resident, the gated access points are shown on the submitted application plans, and will be managed by the school. Cycle storage is being provided near an existing playground and existing lighting will be supplemented for the new development. A school crossing patrol person is not a material planning consideration, but is a management issue for the School. The existing old car park area adjoining the northern boundary is intended to be sold off to help off-set some of the cost of the new extensions. However discussions are still being held with Test Valley Borough Council; a separate application to the Borough Council (for their determination) is expected to be made in due course.

7.3 The Primary School is within an established residential area and the proposed extension is compatible in design to the existing School building. In addition, the proposed development accords with the relevant Local Plan policies and it is considered would not have a significant impact on the character and appearance of the area.

1245/ML

APPENDIX 1

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) Samples and 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.

(3) No works shall commence until full details of all the hard and soft landscaped areas, including the proposed car park, and the gates, have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. All hard and soft landscape works, shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans. The gated entrances to the site, including those for the new pedestrian links shall have been installed before the new extensions are occupied. The approved planting as part of the landscape scheme, shall be implemented within the first available planting season following construction of the extensions.

Reason: For the landscaping, in the interest of visual amenity. For the provision of gates, in the interest of security measures for the school.

(4) The trees and hedging to be retained shall be protected during building operations by the erection of sturdy protective fencing.

Reason: To ensure the enhancement of the development by the retention of natural features.

(5) Occupation of the new extensions shall not commence until provision for the parking, turning, loading and unloading of vehicles has been made within the curtilage. The areas 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.

(6) 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 1600 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.

(7) Before the new extensions are brought into use, the footpath links from the school site to Latham Road, Great Well Drive, and to Mercer Way, shall have been fully constructed and made available for use,

Reason: To secure a satisfactory footpath system linking the school site with nearby roads.

APPENDIX 2

Annexe to Reason for Conditions

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

(General Procedure) Order 1995 - as amended)

__________________________________________________________________

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

Policy UB3 (Design and compatibility)

All development permitted in accordance with other policies of this Plan should be appropriate in design, scale, layout and density to its surroundings.

Test Valley Borough Local Plan 2006 (Adopted June 2006)

Policy DES 05 (Layout and Siting)

Proposals for development within or adjoining a settlement will be permitted provided that (inter-alia): the scheme integrates with the form and structure of the existing settlement or surrounding area.

Policy DES 06 (Scale, Height and Massing)

The extension of existing buildings will only be permitted provided that the scale, height and massing of the proposed extension does not detract from the character or setting of the original building.

Policy DES 07 (Appearance, Details and Materials)

Development will be permitted provided that the design of any building or structure is of a high standard and attractive appearance which adds visual interest. Where the development comprises an extension or alteration to an existing building, it should not detract from the character or setting of the original building. The roof form of any extension or alteration should respect the form and symmetry of the original building