Agenda item

Erection of two storey school building with associated parking, play space and landscaping, and demolition of existing school buildings. [Heworth Without Ward]

Members also considered a major full application, submitted by ISG Construction on behalf of the Department for Education for the erection of two storey school building with associated parking, play space and landscaping, and demolition of existing school buildings.

The Head of Planning and Development gave a presentation on the plans and the Development Management Officer gave an update to Members which clarified the following:

·       Further to paragraph 5.62 of the report, In total 31.no individual trees are to be removed. Of these 11.no are Category B Trees, 17.no are Category C Trees and 3.no are Category U Trees. In addition to this 4.no tree groups are to be removed 3.no Category C.

·       The Officer recommendation as published does not include a condition to secure a Travel Plan for the development. Officers in consultation with Highways do not consider such a condition is necessary because:

•         The size/capacity of the school is not going to increase as a result of the proposed development.

•         The proposals will result in on-site parking increasing by 12.no spaces. This should reduce demand for on street parking (by staff) around the site.

•         There is sufficient cycle parking, but exact details will be resolved through condition.

•         The school is already a Modestars accredited site which is a Travel Plan programme and accreditation scheme.

The officer recommendation was unchanged from the published report.

In response to Member questions, officers confirmed on the plans the position of the trees in relation to the construction site.

Public Speakers

Cllr Nigel Ayre, spoke as Ward Councillor and recommended that improvements should be made to the parking arrangements by amendment of the traffic conditions.  He raised concerns regarding the future proofing of the proposed school buildings and noted that approximately an additional 250 places would be required within the next five years. Finally, he requested that Members gave consideration to the management of construction traffic.

In response to questions, he suggested a re-examination of the times scheduled for deliveries.

Brian Kavanagh, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  He outlined the travel plan and noted that the removal of trees meant that the school would be able to continue to operate.

In response to questions from Members, it was confirmed that changes to delivery times would have a knock on effect but would be acceptable, the building was designed to facilitate an extension at a later date, trees would be replanted to meet bio diversity net gains, there was a travel plan in place at the school and further EV charging points could be added later and there was no loss of curriculum sports space.

Officers responded to questions from Members and reported that:

·       The development surpassed current carbon reduction targets.

·       An updated construction management plan had been submitted.

·       The applicant had considered a retrofit but a new build brough greater advantages. 

·       Condition 16 dealt with demolition dust management.

Following debate, Cllr Fenton proposed a change to condition 16 whereby delivery times were prohibited from 14.45, rather than 1500, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority, this was seconded by Cllr Fisher and unanimously approved by Members.

Cllr Whitcroft proposed the officer recommendation to approve the application subject to the conditions within the report and the amendment to condition 16 as outlined above.  This was seconded by Cllr Wilson.  Following a vote, the recommendation was unanimously approved by Members.

Resolved:                      

Resolved:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions contained in the report, with condition 16 amended as outlined above.

Reason:

                                    i.          Overall, it is considered that the proposed development would provide a modern and up to date school environment which adheres to current standards and practices. This would be the benefit of the immediate community and the pupils which attend the school. The development will give rise to some impacts which could adversely affect the immediate vicinity of the site. However, these would be limited to the construction phase of the development which, in the context of the overall expected lifespan of the development would be relatively small.

                                   ii.          The proposed development is considered to be acceptable in principle and subject to the various conditions outlined below can be delivered in a suitably controlled and managed manner so as to minimise undue impacts as far as possible. The proposals accord with the provisions of the NPPF and policies contained with the City of York Draft Local Plan 2018. Approval is therefore recommended.