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

1. Summary

1.1 Temporary planning permission is sought for the provision of three temporary buildings (a total of five classrooms) on the former Romsey Infant School site, Plaza Parade, Romsey, whilst building works are carried out at the Romsey Primary School off Mercer Way, Romsey for which planning permission was granted in March 2007 by the Regulatory Committee. There are no objections from Test Valley Borough Council but the Romsey Town Council objects "most strongly" to the proposal on the grounds of extreme road safety problems with traffic entering and leaving the site, and significant peak hour disruption to the detriment of local businesses and residents. In addition the Town Council considers these buildings should be accommodated on the Mercer Way site. No other letters of objection have been received.

2. Recommendation

Notwithstanding the letter of objection, that a temporary planning consent be granted for the following reason, subject to conditions set out in Appendix 1.

Reason for Approval

It is considered 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 terms of highway safety.

3. Site and Proposal

3.1 The former Romsey Infant School site, as shown on the attached plan, comprises the existing school buildings, parking and play areas and lies within an area of housing and some retailing. To the north is a partially tree-covered railway embankment. There is a pedestrian footpath under the railway that links with a network of footpaths serving housing. To the west is the Barge Canal with its associated footpath and some housing. On the eastern boundary of the School site is a wooded area, whilst the southern boundary adjoins further housing. There is a relatively narrow vehicular and pedestrian access from Plaza Parade adjoining Winchester Road to the south. Plaza Parade is a small parade of shops. The School site has a few trees within its campus.

3.2 The proposed temporary classroom units, with toilets and a hard play area, would be positioned in the north-east part of the site and would have direct access to the pedestrian link under the railway embankment to the north.

4. Development Plan

4.1 Test Valley Borough Local Plan June 2006 shows the site as an existing school within the defined built-up area for Romsey. The relevant Policy is DES 06 (Scale, Height, and Massing).

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

5. Consultations

5.1 Test Valley Borough Council has no objection subject to conditions including the limited period.

5.2 Romsey Town Council objects "most strongly" for the following reasons:

(i) The proposal to site these classrooms on the Plaza (Infant School) site will cause great difficulty for access for the additional pupils and their parents and extreme road safety problems with traffic entering and leaving the site in Winchester Road. There will be significant peak hour disruption to the detriment of local business and residents.

(ii) Romsey Town Council cannot see any reason why these buildings cannot be accommodated on the Mercer Way site.

In addition, the Town Council recommends that the County Council consults with the parents of both sites regarding this proposal.

5.3 The Highway Adviser considers that no parent parking should be permitted on the school site (this is also the current situation) and that there should be a School Travel Plan covering the period while temporary classrooms are operational. In addition, the Adviser comments that as the site is within a town centre location, it is likely many parents would walk from home to the site. Given the busy nature of the A3090 Winchester Road, parking is effectively controlled by the Traffic Regulation Order. Given this highway restriction it is considered that parents are unlikely to attempt to park on the highway in order to drop-off or pick-up pupils. The Highway Adviser therefore has no objection to the planning application, subject to a planning condition requiring that no part of the proposed development is occupied until such time as a School Travel Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

5.4 The local Member, Councillor Cooper, has been informed.

6. Representations

6.1 Other than the Romsey Town Council's letter, no further letters of representation have been received.

7. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

7.1 The former Romsey Infant School site is within the defined built-up area for Romsey where normally such development would be permitted. Indeed, when the Primary School proposals were considered in March the report referred to the need to re-locate staff and pupils to the former Infant School site off Plaza Parade while construction works took place on the site, for about 40 weeks.

7.2 The objections from the Romsey Town Council are noted. Children's Services has been asked to respond to the suggestion that the County Council should "consult with parents of both sites" in the light of the consultations already undertaken.

7.3 There are health and safety reasons why the Town Council's comment "that it cannot see why these buildings cannot be accommodated on the Mercer Way site" cannot be followed up. There will be large scale construction operations on the Mercer Way site. In addition, the existing former Romsey Infant School buildings are already identified for some of the staff/pupils of the Primary School. The provision of three temporary buildings to accommodate the "Junior" aspect of pupils would ensure the education use is contained on one site rather than split.

7.4 There are no policy objections to the actual temporary buildings themselves. The main issue is the potential traffic conflict at the existing school access off Plaza Parade/Winchester Road. The Highway Adviser considers that, given the current Traffic Regulation Order restricting parking in this area and that parents will not be allowed to bring their vehicles onto the site, there is no reason why the situation should be any

different than at present. Moreover, it is understood safety is not being prejudiced and no highway objection is made. It is noted that there is an alternative pedestrian route to the school and a School Travel Plan can address access issues. Finally, it is noted that although the situation is not altogether convenient, it is only for a temporary period.

7.5 In the light of the above temporary permission is recommended.

1323/ML

APPENDIX 1

Conditions

(1) The development hereby permitted shall be for a limited period only, expiring on 31 August 2008, or until the extensions and refurbishment works at the former Romsey Junior School site (now called the Romsey Primary School) in Mercer Way are completed for re-occupation, or when the education use ceases, whichever is the sooner. At the expiration of this period the buildings shall be removed and the land reinstated as soon as possible.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and as the buildings are not considered suitable for permanent retention, in addition to which, the temporary classrooms will not be required after the modifications are complete.

(2) No part of the proposed development shall be occupied until such time as a School Travel Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In order to ensure that the development makes the best possible opportunities to reduce reliance on the private car.

(3) Measures shall be taken to prevent mud and spoil from vehicles leaving the site during the construction works being deposited on the public highway. In the event that any mud or spoil is deposited on the highway, it shall be cleaned-off on each working day.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

(4) 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 closest to the site's access road off Winchester Road.

APPENDIX 2

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

Test Valley Borough Local Plan 2006 (Adopted June 2006)

Policy DES06 (Scale, Height, 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.