Agenda item

Change of use from caretaker's dwelling to out of school club. [Rural West York Ward] [Site Visit].

Members considered a General Regulations (Reg3) application by the City of York Council for a change of use from caretaker’s dwelling to out of school club.

The Case Officer reported that the School had submitted a statement in support of the application. A copy of the full statement was circulated to Members and the Planning Officer summarised the statement as follows:

“The School sees the proposal as an opportunity to further its partnership with the community and particularly to benefit children in the village. The school has been encouraged to follow government initiatives for extended day facilities, especially in providing for the transition of younger children into school. Many other schools in City of York already provide these facilities. The school encourages pupils and parents to walk to school and the school has recently received a bronze eco mark. Parents would be encouraged to walk their child to the bungalow and this philosophy would form part of the selection process for the provider of the unit.”

The Case Officer reported that five residents from Low Green had objected to the proposal and that two further e-mails had been received from the objectors requesting that residents parking restrictions should be imposed on Low Green to alleviate problems with traffic and parking and that conditions should be imposed in respect of noise levels. Residents also raised concerns that the operation of the club could be contracted out.

The Case Officer reported that in respect of parking provision, Highways Network Management commented that this application did not warrant additional traffic controls and that any existing problems should be reported directly to the Traffic Section with a view to being included in the annual review of Local Traffic Regulations.

The Planning and Development Officer, in the Learning Culture and Children’s Services Directorate, attended the meeting to answer any questions Members had on the application.

Members raised concerns that providing a drop off point could encourage parents to use cars instead of walking their children to school. They also enquired about the provision of car parking spaces. The Planning and Development Officer responded to Members concerns and advised that the car parking spaces were intended for use outside school hours.

Members welcomed the opportunity to re-use the caretakers dwelling, which if left alone could become derelict, and to clear up the area around the building. They agreed that the out of hours club would benefit from being in a purpose built building and allow it space to develop.

Members agreed that there was no reason to prevent use of the building on Saturdays and agreed to amend conditions 4, 5 and 6 to remove restrictions on Saturday use.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report and the following amended conditions¹:

Amended Condition 4

The hours of operation of the school club shall be confined to 07:30 - 18:00 Mondays to Saturdays, with no operation of the school club on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Reason:  To safeguard the amenities of nearby neighbours.

Amended Condition 5

The hours of operation of the evening classes shall be confined to 18:00 to 21:00 Mondays to Saturdays only.

Reason:  To safeguard the amenities of nearby neighbours.

Amended Condition 6

The use permitted of external areas for educational or play purposes associated with the school club shall be confined to the following hours: Monday to Saturday 08:30 to 18:00 with no use on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Reason:  To safeguard the amenities of nearby neighbours.

REASON:      The proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report and the amended conditions listed above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to residential amenity, highways issues, visual amenity and impact upon crime. As such the proposal complies with  Policies  ED1, HE2, GP1, GP11, of the City of York Development Control Local Plan 2005 and national guidance contained within PPS 1 'Planning and Sustainable Development' and PPG 13 'Transport'.