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ITEM PN8
PLANNING & REGULATION COMMITTEE – 20 JULY 2009
APPLICATION FOR THE ERECTION OF A NEW 3m HIGH PERIMETER FENCE (APPROX 80 METRES IN LENGTH) ALONG SOUTH EAST BOUNDARY OF SCHOOL GROUNDS, ST ANDREWS C OF E SCHOOL, STATION ROAD, CHINNOR
Report by Head of Sustainable Development
Application No: R3.0115/09
District Council Area: South Oxfordshire
Introduction
1. This is an application to erect a 3 m high wire mesh fence along the south east boundary of St Andrews C of E Primary School in Chinnor. It would match similar fencing around other parts of the school perimeter. The application has been brought before this Committee as an objection has been received from a local resident.
Location (see plan) (download as .doc file)
2. The school is located centrally within the built up area of Chinnor. Housing development abuts the site on all sides apart from the north west. The north west boundary of the school looks over the village recreation ground.
Details of the Development
3. The south east boundary of the school site is the only boundary which does not have a security fence. Currently this boundary backs onto private gardens and the perimeter is marked by a variety of fences and hedgerows (of various heights). This proposal is for a fence of similar design and height to that already existing on the other site boundaries.
4. As well as increasing the security of the school site, the fence will also assist in preventing balls going into neighbouring properties (the main school playing field is located in this south east corner of the site).
5. The fence will be coloured dark green.
Consultations
6. South Oxfordshire District Council – no objection.
Chinnor Parish Council – no objections.
Third Party Representations
7. One letter of objection has been received from a local resident. The reasons for the objection are:
· what is the security risk? This boundary of the school backs onto private property and anyone accessing the school would have to pass through private gardens; · loss of view over the playing field. Erection of the fence would be like overlooking a prison.
(A copy of the objector’s letter is in the Members’ Resource Centre for information.)
Relevant Planning Policies
8. Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East
Policy CC6 – Developments should actively promote the creation of sustainable and distinctive communities. They should respect and enhance character and distinctiveness of settlements and create a high quality built environment.
9. South Oxfordshire Local Plan
Policy G6 – Proposals to be of a high quality and protect local distinctiveness and be of a scale and type appropriate to site and surroundings.
Policy D1 – Principles of good design and protection and reinforcement of local distinctiveness to be taken into account in all new development.
Policy D6 – Design of development to be encouraged in ways which reduce the opportunity for crime, and promote suitable means of improving security of premises.
Comments of the Head of Sustainable Development
10. The south east boundary of this school site is the only part of the school perimeter which does not have a 3 m high security fence. This boundary abuts the school playing field and is currently marked by various fences and hedgerows of varying heights and thickness.
11. The school wish to secure their perimeter by erecting a fence along this boundary to a similar height and design as the existing fencing found around the site. The main issue in this case is the impact that the fence would have on the residential amenities of neighbouring properties.
12. The existing hedges would not be affected by this development. The new fence would be set inside the line of the existing hedgerow which would be retained. Where the new fence projects above the height of the hedge, there would be an impact on the view that residents currently enjoy. However the right to a view is not a material planning consideration.
13. The school wish to secure this one remaining length of their site. I consider that the proposal is appropriate and is acceptable as the fencing proposed is similar to fencing already existing around the rest of the school boundary.
RECOMMENDATION
14. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to approve application no R3.0115/09 (for the erection of a 3 m perimeter fence, approximately 80 m in length, along the south east boundary of the school grounds) at St Andrews C of E Primary School, Chinnor, subject to conditions to be determined by the Head of Sustainable Development to include the following matters:
(a) detailed compliance; (b) detailed duration – 3 years; (c) that the fence be coloured dark green; (d) hedge protection measures whilst fence installation takes place.
CHRIS COUSINS Head of Sustainable Development Environment & Economy
Background Papers: File ref: R3.0115/09 held in Environment & Economy, Speedwell House, Oxford
July 2009
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