Agenda item

Members considered a Full Application, submitted by the York Diocesan Board of Education, for a one and two storey pitched roof side and rear extensions at Wheldrake C of E Primary School, North Lane, Wheldrake, York. Members were reminded that this application had been deferred at the last meeting in order for a sustainability appraisal to be carried out.

Officers updated that Leisure, Culture and Children’s Services supported the proposals and reported receipt of 4 letters of support from local residents and parents of children at the school. A further letter had been received from a Wheldrake Parish Councillor who supported the proposals but felt that the energy efficiency proposals could be added at a later date so as not to hold up development.

Representations in support were received from the Head Teacher who explained that there was a need to remove 3 mobile classrooms located around the school and to replace them with 3 classroom extensions to improve the teaching facilities within the school. She confirmed that the proposals had been put forward following consultations with many groups and pupils over a period of time. She then went on to detail work undertaken on the Sustainability Statement and the proposed measures they intended to take, details of which had previously been circulated to Members.

Representations were also received in support of the proposals from a Governor and parent of children who had attended the school for 8 years. He confirmed that the school had inadequate facilities, which were in urgent need of improvement and stated that any further delay in approving the scheme could affect funding.

Members questioned the Architect and Governor, who were in attendance, on the age of the temporary classrooms, whether the gas fired boiler could be converted to biomass at a later date, the rainwater harvesting system and grants available for a wind turbine.

Members also thanked the school for providing an excellent comprehensive sustainability statement for the proposed school extension. A request was also made for the addition of an informative asking for the possible inclusion of a real time display of energy consumption at the school.

RESOLVED:That approval be granted subject to the conditions listed in the report and addition of the following

The hours of construction, loading or unloading on the site shall be confined to 8:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 13:00 Saturday and no working on Sundays or public holidays.

Reason: To protect the amenities of adjacent residents.

Informative:  The school is requested to contact The CoYC Sustainability Officer (Kristina Peat 01904 551 666) regarding options available for attaining funding for further sustainable developments and the installation of a real time display illustrating energy usage at the School.

REASON:                             In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the impact on the street scene and the amenity of local residents.  As such the proposal complies with Policies GP1 and ED1 of the City of York Draft Local Plan.