Issue - meetings

The Head of Planning and Building Control recommended that in respect of application 3/22/2534/FUL, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report.

The Planning Case Officer and the Interim Development Management Team Leader presented the application to the Committee and summarised in detail the main issues for Members to consider. Members were advised that there would be no harm to the setting of designated heritage assets and the materials proposed to be used in the construction were in keeping with the properties along Mangrove Road and would also be of a high-quality design.

Members were advised that the education, health and community benefits outweighed the limited harm to the green belt and the application was recommended for approval.

Rachel Kirk and Mike Moss addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Councillor Stowe asked for some clarification in respect of the comments from the conservation and urban design team regarding the grass areas and new parking areas having trees and shrubs. He also asked for some clarification in relation to the comments from the landscape officer in paragraph 5.9 regarding tree surrounds in the car parking areas and permeable paving.

Councillor Copley asked for some clarity as to the size of the trees to be removed and also in relation to the size of the proposed replacement trees. Councillor Smith asked if the proposed 12 cycle spaces were in addition to existing cycle spaces.

The Planning Officer advised that the 12 cycle parking spaces were in addition to the existing cycle parking at the school. The Interim Development Management Team Leader said that officers reported to committee the comments from conservation and urban design team and the landscaping officer. He said that a key issue was that the mature trees that fronted onto Mangrove Road were to be retained and there would no significant works near to them as these trees formed a very significant part of the conservation area.

Members were advised that in terms of the proposed planting, the comments from the landscaping officer regarding the indicative landscaping proposals being acceptable had been given slightly more weight in the report. The Interim Development Team Leader said that some of ecological precautionary approaches were aimed at mitigating concerns in respect of trees in car parks.

The Interim Development Management Team Leader referred to the calm garden or soft landscaped area adjacent to the reception and on the route for pupils to take into the school as being a significant benefit of the proposed scheme.

Members were advised that regarding the quality of the tree planting, this was a question of the right tree in the right place. Whilst planting a semi mature specimen can be helpful for screening purposes, they were less likely to thrive once they were moved. He said that it was preferable to have younger trees planted.

Councillor Carter said that there was a lot of traffic and congestion in the surrounding roads around dropping off time, particularly in wet weather. She  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101