Issue - decisions

PROPOSAL: Demolition of existing buildings and construction of a secondary school with sixth-form arranged in a 5 storey building incorporating a multi-use games area (MUGA) at roof level and incidental works to include landscaping, play-areas, means of enclosure, access and car and cycle parking (Departure from Local Plan, however site allocated for education use in emerging Brent Local Plan 2019 – BSSA19).

RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 or other legal agreement and delegate authority to the Head of Area Planning or other duly authorised person to agree the exact terms thereof on advice from the Director of Legal Services and Procurement.

That the committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out within the Committee reports.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives to secure the matters set out within the Committee reports.

That the Head of Planning and Development Services be granted delegated authority to make changes to the wording of the committee's decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions, informatives, planning obligations or reasons for the decision) prior to the decision being actioned, provided that the Head of Planning is satisfied that any such changes could not reasonably be regarded as deviating from the overall principle of the decision reached by the committee nor that such change(s) could reasonably have led to a different decision having been reached by the Committee.

Mr Damian Manhertz (Development Management Team Leader) introduced the report and answered Members questions.  He drew Members’ attention to amendments to conditions 2 and 4 as set out within the supplementary report and highlighted that the Council had identified the site as suitable to accommodate a school.

Mr Rory McManus (agent in remote attendance) summarised the engagement with the Council including the pre-application process in identifying a suitable site for a secondary school to meet the growing demand for school places within the Borough. He referenced the good transport facilities for the site.

Ms Gil Bal (CEO/Executive Headteacher of Wembley Multi-Academy in remote attendance) addressed the Committee and answered Members’ questions. She informed the Committee that Brent place planning strategy identified that by 2022/23 an additional 18.8 secondary forms of entry would be required in Brent, equivalent to 2 or 3 new secondary schools. This application for a new secondary school - North Brent School is one of those schools required.  She highlighted the academic achievements of Wembley MAT highlighting the importance to have a school building that would allow Wembley MAT to fulfil the ambitions for our students.  Members heard that the interplay of flexible staggered times, good public transport accessibility, bicycle facilities and engagement with TfL on Coach Management Plan would ensure that the school will not give rise to transport problems in the area. 

In the ensuing discussions, members raised issues relating to transport generation, the impact on the housing estate opposite to the site including potential anti-social behaviour and asked officers to clarify the measures in place to address them. Members noted the following measures outlined by Mr John Fletcher (Highways) to minimise transport impact:

·         Due to good transport links, the area had a PTAL rating of 3 and coupled with a robust Parent/School contract, would discourage parents to drive to the site.

·         Draft Travel Plan submitted with the application would be further developed in addition to the applicant’s engagement with TfL on Coach Management Plan.  The car park to the rear of the site would also provide servicing facilities and a single coach parking for school trips.

·         The vigorous enforcement of existing CPZ would assist in preventing parents from parking near the school and within the housing estate. It was unlikely that the school would give rise to anti-social behaviour in the area.

Members noted the responses but added that as an additional measure to encourage alternative forms of transport, condition 17 be amended to require the provision of 170 instead of 78 cycle spaces on site.  This was agreed.

With no further issues raised and the Chair, having established that all members had followed the discussions, asked members to vote on the recommendation.

DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended with amendments to conditions 2 (plans) and 4 (arboricultural report) as set out within the supplementary report and an additional amendment to condition 17 to require the provision of 170 secure cycle spaces on site.

(Voting on the recommendation as amended was as follows: For 7, Against 0).