Agenda item

Erection of two storey school building with associated car parking, playing fields, tennis courts and all-weather pitch (Rural West York Ward)

Members considered a full application, submitted by York Diocesan Board of Finance, for the erection of a two storey school building with associated car parking, playing fields, tennis courts and all-weather pitch.

Representations were received in objection to the application, from three local residents, and in support of the application, from the applicant’s agent, the headteacher and two pupils.  Representations were also received from Councillor Simpson-Laing, Acomb Ward Councillor.

Members discussed how much detail to include in the conditions relating to highways works at this stage and expressed some concerns regarding the proposed rising bollard.  They also requested that the school consider providing CCTV coverage of the car parking area.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved, subject to referral of the application to the Secretary of State under The Town and Country Planning (Green Belt) Direction 2005, and  subject to the conditions listed in the report and the following amended conditions:

5             The school buildings shall be used only between the hours of 08:00 and 22:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 23:30 Saturdays and 09:00 to 21:00 on Sundays. The external hardsurface courts and all weather pitches shall be used only between the hours of 08:00 and 22:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 21:00 Saturday and Sunday. The remaining pitches shall be used only between the hours of 08:00 and 22:00 Monday to Friday and 10:00 to 18:00 Saturday and Sunday.

Reason: to protect the local residents from undue noise and disturbance late at night and at weekends.

  9           Prior to the development hereby approved coming into use details of the illumination of the all-weather pitch and tennis courts on the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the agreed scheme implemented and maintained on site.  The lighting scheme should demonstrate that it reduces both outward and upward light spillage and should demonstrate compliance with "dark skies" principles.

The lights should be turned off no later than 15 minutes after the last use of the pitches and this should be controlled by a suitable time switch installed to the satisfaction of the local planning authority.

Reason: To protect the living conditions of the nearby residential properties and to prevent light pollution.

10           Prior to the development hereby approved coming into use details of any scheme for illumination of all external areas of the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the agreed scheme implemented on site. The lighting scheme should demonstrate that it reduces both outward and upward light spillage and should demonstrate compliance with "dark skies" principles.

Reason: To protect the living conditions of the nearby residential properties and to prevent light pollution.

25           The development hereby permitted shall not come into use until the following highway works (which definition shall include works associated with any Traffic Regulation Order required as a result of the development, signing, lighting, drainage and other related works) have been carried out in accordance with details which shall have been previously submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, or arrangements entered into which ensure the same:

a/ Widening of the footway on Beckfield Lane to a maximum of 3.5 at a length of 70 metres to provide a shared pedestrian/cycle route

b/ Provision of a 2 metre wide maximum footway to the western side of Low Poppleton Lane

c/ Widening of the footway to Millfield Lane to a maximum of 3.5 metres to provide a shared pedestrian/cycle route

d/ Implementation of a school safety zone and associated works as shown indicatively on drawing 4210-004 Rev A

e/ Provision of improved crossing facilities on Boroughbridge Road

f/ Provision of a crossing facility on Beckfield Lane

Reason:  In the interests of the safe and free passage of highway users and in the interests of providing sustainable transport options to the school site in accordance with policy T7c of the Development Control Local Plan.

Informative: The provision of improved crossing facilities on Boroughbridge Rd and Beckfield Lane could be satisfied by the completion of a planning obligation made under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by those having a legal interest in the application site, requiring a financial contribution. The obligation should provide for a financial contribution calculated at £45000.

26           The development hereby permitted shall not come into use until the following highway works (which definition shall include works associated with any Traffic Regulation Order required as a result of the development, signing, lighting, drainage and other related works) have been carried out in accordance with details which shall have been previously submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, or arrangements entered into which ensure the same.

Provision of a lowering bollard (or other means) and any associated works to facilitate public transport and emergency vehicle access only access between Millfield Lane from Low Poppleton Lane

Reason:  In the interests of the safe and free passage of highway users and in the interests of providing sustainable transport option to the school site in accordance with policy T7c of the Development Control Local Plan.

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 openness or setting of the green belt, the purpose of including land within the green belt, highway implications, residential amenity, nature conservation, landscape value, design and sustainability. As such the proposal complies with Policies R1, R9, E2, E8, E8a and E9 of the North Yorkshire County Structure Plan (Alteration No.3 Adopted 1995) and Policies SP2, SP6, GP1, GP3, GP9, GP11, GP13, GP14, NE1, GB1, GB13, T7c, T13a, T20, and ED1 of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.