Agenda item

Public Participation

Mr Colin Gayle spoke in objection to the application.

Ms Alma Fowle spoke in support of the application.

Cllr John Rogers spoke on behalf of Rushall Parish Council

The Area Development Manager introduced the report which recommended the application be granted temporary planning permission. A late item received from Cllr Richard Gamble (portfolio holder for schools and youth) was also presented to the committee outlining Cllr Gamble’s comments on the application.

The Area Development Manager outlined key areas for consideration including PD1 of the Kennet Local Plan. This being: the impact on character and appearance of the application on the local area and highway matters.

Committee members were given the opportunity to ask technical questions of the application.

Cllr Stewart Dobson questioned the planned use of a particular colour for the building and asked if the committee could specify a colour. It was clarified that the committee could not suggest specific colours but could consider using a sympathetic colour scheme that complimented the local area.

Cllr Liz Bryant questioned the anticipated population growth in the area and asked if a temporary building was the correct solution. It was clarified that the permanence of the population bulge in the area would be clarified in future years as this would give a more accurate picture of future data. The temporary solution was proposed to deal with the bulge in short term whilst a longer term solution could be debated.

Cllr Paul Oatway then raised concerns over access to the school; and building as a result of inflated class sizes.

Following the questions from the committee, members of the public were given the opportunity to address the committee.

Following submissions from the public, the committee entered into a debate on the application. The committee questioned the suitability of existing highways arrangements to manage an increase in class size, and the impact on the surrounding community. At the end of the debate, it was;

Resolved

To GRANT planning permission for the application, subject to the following conditions;

1        The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

REASON:  To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2        The mobile classroom hereby permitted shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition on or before the expiry of 5 years from the date of this planning permission, in accordance with a scheme of work submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.

REASON: This permission is granted solely to meet the needs of the present applicant and because the site is in a location where the permanent retention of a building of temporary construction is considered to be inappropriate.

3        The windows in the west elevation of the mobile classroom shall be glazed with obscure glass only prior to the first occupation of the development hereby permitted and shall be permanently maintained as such in perpetuity.

REASON: In the interests of residential amenity and privacy.

4        The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 1316-01, 1316-02 and 1316-05 received 16/05/13

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.