Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) 17 July 2007 Warren Park Primary School, Leigh Park, Havant Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

Contact: Steve Clow Ext: 7858 e-mail: [email protected]

1	Summary
1.1	Warren Park Primary School is located in a residential area of Havant, at Sandleford Road, Leigh Park. The school dates from the late 1960s and has a roll of 420 pupils (aged 4-11 years), with 410 children currently in attendance.
1.2	Over the past two years the school created a dedicated teaching space for `outdoor curriculum' activities, which involves taking the pupils into the school grounds to explore and examine natural habitats and wildlife. To support this activity, a temporary building was installed on site as a base for learning activities. The success of the project has generated a need for a larger, permanent base and it is now proposed to construct a stand-alone building for this purpose. The school has secured grant funding from the Area Investment Fund (AIF), which has been the catalyst to generate core funding for the project.
1.3	This project is an opportunity to create a special building which will not only provide a quality space to undertake the `outdoor' curriculum activities, but can in itself be a demonstration of sustainability initiatives to support the teaching. It is therefore intended to accommodate a number of sustainable and renewable energy initiatives as operating examples within the design. These will be designed and then included in the building based upon the total envelope of funding available. It will not be possible to include all ambitions for this project at day one, but the design will allow for further enhancements to be added should funding becomes available.
1.4	This building will provide the opportunity to invest in both technologies which the County Council has recently installed at other projects, but will principally enable the introduction of new technologies like photovoltaic cells (electrical power from the sun). A post-occupancy evaluation exercise will provide the opportunity for the Council's designers to apply the learning specific to this project to other future projects. These technologies will have been used elsewhere in the country and many of these will be of a `passive' nature, including thermal mass and roof forms that will demonstrate good design to reduce energy consumption without using `active' technologies.
1.5	There is an element of risk in some of the elements associated with this proposal - but this is the ideal opportunity to demonstrate that the Council can support forward-thinking design and innovation in the education environment. The risks can be appropriately managed and the functioning of the building will not be reliant on the new technologies.
1.6	The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed scheme at Warren Park Primary School and the purpose of this report is to outline the design proposals and seek approval to the attached design project appraisal.
1.7	The proposed scheme will maximise wellbeing and enhance the quality of place for all users of the school.
2	Recommendations
	That the Executive Lead Member approves: 1. the design project appraisal for the scheme at Warren Park Primary School, Havant, at an estimated total cost of £351,000, excluding fees; 2. the procurement of the proposed project through the new Tier 2 framework arrangement.
3	Scope of the Works
3.1	The proposed new building will provide a classroom space, office, kitchenette, toilets, storage and a lobby/changing area.
3.2	The building will be located to the north of the site, adjacent to the existing temporary building and the Sure Start Centre that was constructed in 2003. This location is ideal for the project as it is at the centre of the landscaped habitat areas and near to a main external door of the school building, which enables a close link.
4	Funding and Timing
4.1	Funding for the proposed scheme, exclusive of fees, is as follows: £'000 Children's Services Capital Programme 2007/08 43 School (devolved capital) 93 Area Investment funding (AIF) 193 Excellence Cluster funding 22 351
4.2	There is a potential to access the dedicated sustainability budget in the Children's Services capital programme to fund some of the enhancements should the core funding prove insufficient. The Director of Children's Services together with the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services will jointly co-ordinate this and report on the outcome of opportunities taken.
4.3	It is proposed to procure this project through the new Tier 2 framework arrangement which is currently being established. This will allow selection of a contractor to work with the design team to develop a detailed construction programme which meets the timescales for expenditure of grant funding. It is anticipated that work will commence on site during November 2007 and be completed during April 2008.
5	Consultation with Local Members
5.1	Councillors Ann Buckley and Anne Edwards, the local Members for this area, have been consulted on the proposals and have confirmed that they are supportive of the scheme.
Conclusion
The proposed scheme will provide a purpose-built, stand-alone classroom space to support the school's `outdoor classroom' project.

LINK(S) TO CORPORATE STRATEGY
	Yes	No
Hampshire safer and more secure for all		_
Maximising well-being	_
Enhancing our quality of place	_

This proposal does not link to the Corporate Strategy but, nevertheless, requires a decision because:

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works

2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

Title Location

Architect's plans PMIS file

Building Profile Reports TMH

Hampshire County Council

Building Design Project Appraisal

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)

17 July 2007

Project:	Warren Park Primary School, Havant
	Outdoor classroom
Commencement date:	November 2007
Completion date:	April 2008
Planned year of start in accordance with Capital Programme:		2007/08

Recommendation:

That the building design project appraisal for the Warren Park Primary School

scheme be approved.

1 Finance

Capital Expenditure	Current Estimate £'000	Capital Programme £'000
Buildings	351	43
Fees	49	7
Land to be purchased	_	_
Total	*400	50

* The means by which the difference between the Current Estimate and the Capital Programme

allocation is to be met is shown in the table below.

Financial Provision for Total Scheme	Buildings £'000	Fees £'000	Total cost £'000
1 From own Resources:
a) Capital Programme (as above)	43	7	50
b) School	93	7	100
2 From Other Resources:
a) Area Investment funding	193	32	225
b) Excellence Cluster funding	22	4	26
Total	351	50	401

Building Cost - Net Cost = £3,020 per m²

- Gross Cost = £3,475 per m²

Note: The high net cost is representative of the special nature of this project and the incorporation of additional new technologies as a particular demonstration of innovation and for education purposes.

Devolved Capital allocations £'000

2004/05 32

2005/06 33

2006/07 42

2007/08 45

Total 152

Landlord funded work connected with this scheme

There are no landlord funded works associated with this scheme.

Value of land already acquired for this project

The land forming the site of the development is an integral part of the school campus and is incapable of disposal in isolation. The land was acquired at historic cost and its current value to the County Council is as part of the ground of the establishment.

Revenue implications

	(a) Employees £'000	(b) Other £'000	(a+b) *Net Current Expenditure £'000	(c) Capital Charges £'000	(a+b+c) Total Net Expenditure £'000
Revenue Implications Additional+ /Reductions	0	0	-	-	-
Unit cost (£) (e.g. per place)	-	-	-	-	-
% variation to Committee's budget	-				-
Number of additional Staff (fte)	-				-

The overall level of the revenue budget for funding schools will (from April 2006) be prescribed by central government, and capital projects have no bearing on the level of this budget. Therefore, this proposed project will have no bearing on the overall level of the Children's Services budget, extra costs and savings being met from the same overall schools' funding level.

Energy costs

The estimated annual energy consumption for the new accommodation will meet that required by current Building Regulations. It is anticipated that the increase in fuel cost for the school will be in the order of £ TBC for each m² of new accommodation.

2 Details of site and existing infrastructure

Location/adjoining land and buildings

The school is located in a residential area of Leigh Park, at Sandleford Road. The school sited in bounded by established tree belts on all elevations, with housing beyond. The Sure Start Centre which was completed in 2003 shares the site and is located to the southwest of the main school buildings.

Area including comparison with local/national standards

The total site area is 6.565 acres (2.656 hectares). The DfES guideline for a school of this size is 4.447 acres (1.8 hectares).

Access

The main vehicular and pedestrian access to the site is from Sandleford Road. For the duration of the works, the contractor will access the site from the main entrance. Once within the school boundaries, pupils and staff will be clearly separated from construction traffic and activities. Deliveries and movement of plant will be restricted during the school day to ensure the safety of all those involved.

Existing buildings and temporary buildings

The existing buildings date from the late 1960s, a mix of traditional and system built construction. The Sure Start Centre was completed in 2003 and is the most recent addition to the campus.


The temporary building which is currently used as the outdoor classroom space is in fair condition and will be retained on site for at least the duration of the contract. A decision will then be taken on its future.

Results of trial boreholes

A previous geotechnical report for a nearby extension revealed made ground overlying weathered London Clay. The recommended foundations are therefore trench fill concrete pads with concrete ground bearing slab if made ground beneath does not exceed 0.60m in depth, otherwise suspended beam and block flooring will be used.

Mains services position

The existing mains services are considered to be of sufficient capacity to be extended and adapted as required to serve the proposed additional accommodation.

3 Scope of the Project

Type of project, layout and facilities provided

The proposed scheme will provide a stand-alone, purpose-built outdoor classroom space, as follows:

· classroom space

· office

· kitchenette

· wc/wash area

· lobby/changing area

· associated storage areas

Places provided

This project will not provide any additional pupil places.

4 The Proposed Building

Type of construction, finish and appearance

The single-storey building will be a combination of blockwork and glulam timber frame with fair-face brickwork externally. The roof of the building will complement the main school building, with high-performance roof covering. The high-performance double-glazed windows will be framed in powder-coated aluminium. The building design will make a feature of the environmental initiatives to act as a demonstration project for education purposes.

Impact Assessment

The building has been designed with level thresholds throughout and will contain an accessible toilet.

Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of this proposal. No adverse impact has been identified in terms of race, creed or gender.

Heating and ventilation systems

Passive systems concentrate on harnessing the sun's energy in the winter months and the building has been located to maximise winter solar gain. The south facing glazed lobby area will be used to preheat air used for ventilation of the classroom in the winter months. In addition, a large quantity of thermal mass inside the building will help maintain a constant internal temperature. In the summer this will also allow for night-time cooling of the building.


Temperature control and electricity production will be managed with both active and passive environmental systems. A number of approaches are being developed which include heating by a ground source heat pump and some electricity generated by photovoltaic solar power panels and a wind turbine with the possibility for excess electricity generated by the turbine and solar panels to be sold back to the energy supplier. The extent of these measures is dependent on site conditions and what can be achieved within the budget.

The building will have a display meter of energy consumption for educational purposes to have the means to monitor the building eg for energy and water consumption.

Fire risk assessment

In consultation with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, a fire risk assessment

concludes that this is a low fire risk category building. Therefore a sprinkler system will not be installed.

Health and safety

A designer's risk assessment and a design health and safety plan, in accordance with the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007, have been undertaken for the proposed scheme

5 External Works

Car parking

No changes to existing provision.

Landscape proposals

Landscaping will include making good the areas around the proposed new building. A terrace will be provided as a spill-out teaching area and a tarmac surfaced path will connect back to the existing path that passes through the site. A small number of young trees may be removed to facilitate the siting of the new building, however the school have an ongoing tree planting programme which means that the removal of these trees will have little effect on the character of the site.

Situation on site and environmental impact

The siting of the proposed building to the northwest of the existing buildings does not have a detrimental effect on any surrounding buildings, being partially screened by an existing tree belt on the boundary of the school site.

An initial ecology survey is due to be carried out on this site. In the event that any protected species are present, necessary actions will be taken to ensure compliance with all statutory requirements.

6 Planning

A detailed planning application was submitted during June 2007.

7 Building management

Existing arrangements will apply to cleaning, catering, local management and maintenance arrangements.

8 Furniture and equipment

A separate allocation from the Children's Services Block Vote for furniture and equipment will be made at a later date.

9 Professional resources

Architectural Services Property, Business and Regulatory Quantity Surveying

Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Structural Engineering

10 Consultations

The following have been consulted during the development of the project: Headteacher and Governors of the school, Children's Services Department, Environment Department, Fire Officer, Access Officer, Acoustic Consultant, local County Councillors.