Agenda item
Former Manor School, 5-7 The Avenue & Former Simon Wells Unit Special School, Christchurch Avenue, London, NW6 (Ref. 10/1691)
Decision:
Temporary planning permission for 30 months granted subject to conditions as amended in condition 5.
Minutes:
Erection of 2 two-storey buildings, erection of rear extension to existing single-storey building, a fenced multi-use games area (MUGA), provision of 8 off-street parking spaces, cycle-storage area and associated landscaping to site, to provide accommodation for the relocated Swiss Cottage Specialist SEN School (SCSSS) for a temporary period of 30 months |
OFFICER RECOMMENDATION: Grant temporary planning permission for 30 months subject to conditions.
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With reference to the tabled supplementary report the Area Planning Manager Andy Bates reported that correspondence had been received from Camden's Director of Children Schools and Families and Councillor Mary Arnold, Lead Member for Children and Families in support of this application emphasising how critical it was to ensure continuity in the delivery of specialist teaching currently provided at Swiss Cottage. He added that the applicant had confirmed the coloured panels on the temporary buildings to a more neutral Goosewing Grey rather than blue as agreed at a recent meeting between the applicant, local residents and Councillor Shaw, through amended drawings. In respect of the changes, the Area Planning Manager drew members’ attention to amended conditions 2 and 5 as set out in the tabled supplementary. He continued that the applicant had indicated to plant two further trees on the site taking the overall number of trees to be planted to 15, resulting in the net gain of two trees on the site.
Mr John Wozencroff in objecting to the application stated that the existing traffic calming measures were inadequate to cope with resulting additional traffic. He added that parking provision was inadequate to accommodate the proposed use of a 32-seater coach to transport the children to and from the proposed school site. Mr Wozencroff expressed a view that the need for educational provision for the residents in Brent was more pressing than that of the Borough of Camden.
Mr Robin Mills a local resident objected to the proposed development on the grounds of transportation and loss of trees adding that the proposed replanting of trees was likely to take several years to come to fruition.
In accordance with the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor Shaw stated that she had been approached by some of the objectors to the application. Councillor Shaw objected to the proposal on the following grounds:
(i) The need for additional school places in the local area within Brent such as Malorees Primary which was heavily oversubscribed should be a priority.
(ii) Loss of tress.
(iii) Noise nuisance to the detriment of residential amenities.
(iv) Increase in traffic which could result in a danger to both pedestrians and motorists.
(v) Increase in parking problems for the local residents.
Councillor Shaw alleged that the consultation period was too short to allow residents an adequate opportunity to respond and in this respect she requested members to defer the application for further review.
Kay Bedford the head teacher of the Swiss Cottage SEN School stated that the school had received an outstanding Ofsted report with the exception of the buildings. She added that it would take longer for the contractors to complete the new buildings on the school’s site in Camden if SEN children who were vulnerable with mental health needs were kept on site whilst building work took place. Ms Bedford reiterated that the permission was for only 30 months enabling the school to return to its new buildings in the autumn term, 2012).
In responding to some of the issues raised, the Area Planning Manager stated that the proposed site was already a school site and that the proposed school Travel Plan using large buses would result in a significant reduction in vehicular movements. He added that issues about transportation and trees had been fully addressed in the reports and that as a temporary application he did not envisage any permanent harm. The Head of Area Planning added that the amount of on-site construction would be limited as it was proposed to use prefabricated structures which would then be delivered to the site.
DECISION: Temporary planning permission for 30 months granted subject to conditions as amended in condition 5 |
Supporting documents: