Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for a temporary school teaching block (Use Class D1) for a period of two years and use of existing Morley Cricket Club car park for staff.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented a proposal for a temporary school teaching block for a period of two years and use of Morley Cricket Club car park for staff.

Members had attended a site visit prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  The school site was in a predominantly residential area.

·  The proposals were only for a temporary basis until the delivery of a new permanent site.

·  Phase 1 of the proposals would commence for September 2014 and would include 5 new temporary rooms.  Phase 2 would see a further 7 rooms and in total would accommodate a further 285 pupils.

·  The proposals had been supported by a local Ward Councillor.

·  There had been no objection regarding the loss of playing field space from Sport England subject to this being reinstated at the end of the temporary two year period.

·  It was recommended to approve the application.

A local Ward Councillor addressed the Panel with concerns that had been raised by local residents.  These included the following:

·  Local residents already suffered from problems with parking and had requested a permit scheme.

·  Concerns regarding road safety due to extra vehicle movements.

·  It was not felt that the additional parking available was sufiicient.

·  Reference to road traffic accidents in the vicinity of the school.

·  In response to questions from the Panel, the following was discussed:

o  Proposals for a residents parking scheme had not been progressed by Highways.

o  10 letters had been sent regarding the concerns but it was felt there would be more if the period of consultation was extended.

o  The accidents had occurred following the implementation of a 20 MPH zone and other traffic calming measures.

A representative of The Morley Academy addressed the Panel.  Issues raised included the following:

·  The proposals had been approved by the Department for Education and were supported by Children’s Services.

·  The proposals were essential to meet demand for school places in 2015.

·  The travel plan had indicated that there would be no significant impact.  Children who would be attending had been surveyed and the vast majority would use public transport or walk.

·  The travel plan would be monitored and modified if necessary.

·  The proposals offered the opportunity to provide high quality education facilities to students from deprived areas.

·  In response to Members questions, the following was discussed:

o  Arrangements for coaches to drop students off.  It was proposed to use the existing bus stop on Scatcherd Lane.

o  Other options had been explored for the temporary accommodation.

o  There were still sufficient hard play areas for use.

o  Calendars had been co-ordinated with the Cricket Club to ensure that events did not clash and lead to problems with parking.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

o  The applicant had held public consultation events in addition to the statutory notice requirements.

o  Conditions relating to the travel plan.

o  There was a condition for the site to be cleared at the end of the temporary 2 year period and the re-use of the outdoor play areas.

o  The main accumulation of traffic accidents had occurred on Fountain Street.  There had been 4 accidents on Scatcherd Lane in the past 5 years.

RESOLVED – That the application be approved as per the officer recommendation and conditions outlined in the report but further discussion to be held with Highways regarding progress on general traffic calming along Scatcherd lane and if appropriate bring an information report back to Panel once these discussions had taken place to advise of progress.