Meeting documents

Application No. S.03/03 (detailed)

Proposed construction of two new classrooms, cloakroom, stores, resource area, teaching/resource area, corridor and WC facilities, Ladygrove Park Primary School, Avon Way, Didcot, Oxon OX11 7GB

Development and Site (see plan):

The site lies to the east of Avon Way at its junction with Tyne Avenue. The proposed extension is on the south east of the school block extending onto the adjacent hard play area. The extension would match existing features being brick elevations under a profile aluminium sheet pitch roof with roof lights. Windows and doors would match their surroundings. The new male and female WCs and a resource/teaching room will link to the existing building through a corridor leading to a resource area and exit door to the south west of the building. The hard play area taken by the development would be replaced by a new hard play area (see attached plan). This play area would be separated from the road by the existing 1.5m weldmesh fence with planting along it.

The school is in a growth area of the town. The number of rising fives on the school roll was 285 and is forecast to rise to 495 by 2007. The proposed extension would provide the extra accommodation to help meet this significant increase.

Relevant Development Plan policies are as follows:

South Oxfordshire Local Plan:

Assistant Director’s Comments:

This is an extension to a recently built school using matching materials. The new classroom extension is well within the site and would have little or no effect on neighbouring properties. The new classrooms are laid out the same as existing and reflect the modular nature of the school. It would provide much needed education accommodation in this fast expanding area of the town.

Both the extension and the hard play area encroach on the green area of the school but neither would affect the formal marked out pitch. Sport England have confirmed they have no objection to the proposal.

The extra places would inevitably lead to increased traffic to and from the school. Access to the school is good and I would suggest a condition requiring that a School Travel Plan be prepared and implemented.

Results of Consultations:

South Oxfordshire District Council – Yet to respond.

Didcot Town Council – No objection.

Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association – Yet to respond.

Sport England – No objections.

Recommendation:

The Committee is RECOMMENDED subject to the consideration of any outstanding comments received by the date of the meeting, to approve the application subject to the following conditions:

1. Detailed compliance
2. Detailed duration – 5 years
3. Materials to match existing
4. Landscaping
5. Implement landscaping
6. School Travel Plan to be agreed and implemented.

Contact Officer: Kevin Broughton Tel: Oxford 810431

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