Agenda item
Ark Academy, Forty Avenue, Wembley HA9 9JR (Ref. 15/0178)
Decision:
Granted planning consent as recommended subject to an amendment to condition 11 (Community Access) to ensure consideration is given to wider community access and Wembley event days to ensure sufficient on site parking capacity and an informative advising advertisement consent is required for the signage advertising “Ark Academy”.
Minutes:
PROPOSAL: Construction of a two storey building on the north eastern part of the site to provide a sixth form centre containing a main reception, classrooms, study room, dining space and performance hall together with associated hard/soft landscaping improvements, including a natural habitat landscaped area, and service access.
RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to conditions listed after paragraph 28 of the remarks section of the report.
With reference to the supplementary report, Rachel Murrell (Area Planning Manager) clarified the issues raised during the site visit. Members heard that the sixth form block would be 8.7m high and that a distance of between 6-8m, revised from the details in the supplementary report, would be maintained between the existing and the proposed buildings. She advised that there were inconsistencies between the measurements set out in the report and the submitted plans though the building and its site context had been assessed from the plans to understand its scale and setting within the site, as viewed by Members on the site visit. The issue of construction traffic would be addressed via condition 5. She continued that although the there were no conditions in the original planning permission requiring the retention of the woodland area, the school had considered the ecological value of the woodland area and by balancing this against the needs of the school, would provide an opportunity to enhance the woodland area through new tree planting and a woodland management plan.
She continued that the proposal would include new tree planting (minimum of 4 trees) together with native shrub planting along the northern boundary with Forty Avenue and the relocation of 4 existing trees. Further details on the planting strategy and relocation of the existing trees were recommended to be conditioned to any forthcoming planning consent. In respect of a letter from the Barn Hill Residents Association regarding parking and drop off, the Area Planning Manager confirmed that the school had a Travel Plan in place which was required to be renewed on an annual basis in order for it to be accredited by Transport for London (TfL).
Delia Smith (Principal of the school) stated that the current building and its design was inadequate to accommodate the growing demand and the resulting over-subscription for places, hence the application. She added that the original application had in the course of time, proved to be inadequate to accommodate the 6th form class.
During members’ question session, concerns were raised about potential increase in traffic, parking demand and the protection of the woodlands area. Additional concerns were also expressed about the use of the hall for community facilities with a suggestion that the hall be not used in the weekends. It was also suggested that the signage for “Ark Academy” be switched off at 10.00pm
In response to members’ questions, she stated that the proposal would not result in increased traffic and parking demand as 6th form students largely travelled to the school by public transport, drawing attention to the school’s Travel Plan. In respect of concerns about the woodlands, she stated that tree replanting and landscaping measures would enable the school to manage that area efficiently. Members noted that as the original consent for the school allowed the hiring out of the hall for community use, it was not possible to add a condition restricting its use during the weekends however, consideration ought to be given to ensure that wider community access would be given on Wembley event days to ensure sufficient on site parking capacity and an informative advising that advertisement consent would be required for the signage advertising “Ark Academy”.
DECISION: Granted planning consent as recommended subject to an amendment to condition 11 (Community Access) to ensure consideration is given to wider community access and Wembley event days to ensure sufficient on site parking capacity and an informative advising advertisement consent is required for the signage advertising “Ark Academy”.
Supporting documents: