Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)

24 July 2008

Robert May's School, Hook

Report of the Acting Director of Property, Business and

Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

Robert May's School is located in a residential area of Odiham, as West Street. The College has a capacity of 1,200 and there are currently 1,218 pupils (11-16 years) on roll.

1.2

It is proposed to construct a floodlit, synthetic turf pitch (STP) for year-round use by students during the school day and the wider community at other times. The new pitch will provide specialist football training facilities for the school and local clubs.

1.3

The Acting Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed scheme at Robert May's School, Hook, 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 improved sports facilities for use by the school and local community.

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 Robert May's School, Hook, at an estimated total cost of £553,000, excluding fees (subject to confirmation from the Football Foundation of a successful bid for funding).

3

Scope of the Works

3.1

The STP will be located on an area of the school site furthest away from the surrounding housing. This area is at the highest level of the terrace field and locating the STP here makes the best use of available field space, allowing the school to continue using the rest of the space for rugby, hockey and track athletics. It is also possible to gain level access to the pitch at this location - a requirement of the Football Foundation grant.

3.2

The pitch will be fully accessible and two footpath options will allow access either from the existing changing rooms or the existing service road and car park. A new accessible car parking bay will be allocated at the end of the existing school service road.

3.3

The pitch will be fenced with rebound and ball-stop weld mesh fencing. Eight floodlights will be installed, the location and height of which have been specified to reduce light glare and overspill to surrounding properties.

3.4

Landscaping works will include:

· a tree-planted earth mound adjacent to the northern boundary to screen the pitch from neighbouring properties and viewpoints


· a retaining wall system in the northeastern corner of the upper field terrace to allow the level playing field area to be extended into this corner


· additional tree planting on the eastern grass embankment to help screen the floodlighting from a new housing development


· the removal of a number of existing mature trees on the western embankment immediately adjacent to the proposed pitch to facilitate its construction.

3.5

Planning permission for the project was received in January 2008.

4

Funding and Timing

4.1

Planning permission has been secured for this project (a condition of the grant application). 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) is as follows:

£'000 £'000 £'000

(build) (fees) (total)

Children's Services Capital Programme 08/09 146 24 170

School devolved capital 93 7 100

*Football Foundation grant 314 52 366

553 83 636

* 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 Jonathan Glen, the local Member for the area, has been consulted on the proposals.

Conclusion

The proposed scheme will provide a floodlit, synthetic turf pitch for year-round use by students during the school day and the wider community at other times.

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: