Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)

24 July 2008

Henry Beaufort School, Winchester

Report of the Acting Director of Property, Business and

Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

Henry Beaufort School is located in a residential area of Harestock, Winchester, at East Woodhay Road. The school capacity is 1,100 and there are currently 959 pupils (11-16 years) on roll.

1.2

Henry Beaufort School has close links with other community organisations, schools, colleges and local businesses and it is now proposed to provide a synthetic turf pitch (STP) for use by the school, other local schools and a number of community groups, including local junior football clubs (boys and girls), private youth football companies, voluntary organisations providing activities for local children, Southampton Football Club's `Saints Ability' (for disabled children) and the Hampshire FA who are seeking a venue for training volunteer coaches.

1.3

The Acting Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed scheme at Henry Beaufort School, Winchester, and the purpose of this report is to outline and seek approval to the proposals.

1.4

The proposed scheme will maximise wellbeing by providing additional sports facilities for use by the school and other community users.

2

Recommendation

That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) approves the proposals for the scheme to provide a synthetic turf pitch at Henry Beaufort School, Winchester at an estimated total cost of £489,000, excluding fees (subject to confirmation from the Football Foundation of a successful bid for funding).

3

Scope of the Works

3.1

The floodlit STP, with rebound and ballstop weldmesh fencing, will be located on an area of the school field that is currently used for football, field sports and informal gathering of pupils. This area is at the lowest level of the terraced school field and is generally bounded by housing. The STP will be fully accessible, with level tarmac footpaths.

3.2

The STP will be suitable for football, hockey training and other informal, supervised, games activities. The siting of the pitch will allow the continued used of the larger upper terraced field for rugby, cricket and track athletics.

3.3

Six floodlights will be installed and those on the northern edge nearest to neighbouring properties will have special cowls fitted to prevent direct glare to adjacent properties. The addition of floodlighting enables the hours of use to be extended into the evenings to maximise use by community groups for supervised coaching sessions.

3.4

Associated landscaping works include a planted earth mound adjacent to the north-eastern boundary and tree, shrub and hedge planting to form a screen from neighbouring properties.

3.5

It is also proposed to reinforce some stretches of the school boundary fence to prevent unauthorised access into the school grounds adjacent the pitch and in the areas of Buriton Road and Andover Road.

3.6

A single designated accessible wc/shower/changing facility will be provided in an existing building adjacent to the pitch, to be made available to all community users whilst the training sessions are underway.

3.7

Planning permission for this scheme was obtained in January 2008.

4

Funding and Timing

4.1

Subject to the necessary approvals and confirmation of a successful bid for Football Foundation funding, it is anticipated that tenders will be invited during the autumn, work will commence on site during the spring and be completed during the summer of 2009.

4.2

Funding, exclusive of fees, for the proposed scheme is as follows:

£'000 £'000 £'000
(build) (fees) (total)

School Funding (community funds/

devolved capital) 116 12 129

Winchester City Council 103 18 120

*Football Foundation Grant funding (tbc) 270 45 315

489 75 564

* A grant application has recently been made by the school and the result of this is awaited. A contract cannot be let until the bid is successful. The Executive Member is asked to approve the appraisal to enable construction work to commence without delay and preferably in the 2008 autumn season.

5

Consultation with Local Member

5.1

Councillor Charlotte Bailey, the local Member, has been consulted on these proposals and has commented as follows:

"I am completely supportive of the proposal to provide a synthetic turf pitch at Henry Beaufort school. This will provide a much enhanced, all year round, facility for local young people as well as the school community. It also allows easy access for disabled young people so that they can participate in the sports activities. During the planning stage the school has consulted the local community and has made changes to minimise the visual effects for local people."

Conclusion

The proposal to provide a synthetic turf pitch will benefit the school, other local schools and a number of community groups.

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: