Meeting documents

Application No: S.24/02 (renewal)

Renewal of consent for one double prefabricated classroom Ref: E011 for a temporary period of five years, Aston Rowant C of E School, School Lane, Aston Rowant

Development and Site (see plan): (download as .doc file)

The application is for the renewal of consent for a two classroom prefabricated building which is still needed for numbers on roll. The building is in the Aston Rowant Conservation Area but is at the rear of the school and not readily visible to the public. The site is well screened by hedging.

Relevant Local Plan Policies

Results of Consultations:

South Oxfordshire District Council – refuse for the following reasons:

"That having regard to the location of the site within the Aston Rowant Conservation Area and to the unsatisfactory form, appearance and materials used in the construction of the structure, the mobile classroom represents an inappropriate form of development that detracts from and is detrimental to the visual amenity of the Aston Rowant Conservation Area. The development is thereby contrary to policies CON8 and CON10 set out in the South Oxfordshire Local Plan. A copy of objections received are attached".

Letters of objection from residents of Plowden Park summarised below are available for inspection in the planning case file held in the Land Use section of Environmental Services.

Aston Rowant Parish Council – no objection.

Environment Agency – no objection.

Local residents – three letters of objection were received by SODC. The main points raised were:-

• Temporary building has become more permanent and is in a poor state of repair and is an eyesore.
• A porch has been added to the temporary building that is in the conservation area, without planning permission, and omitted from the plans.
• The part of the building sold off several years ago is still being represented on plans as being part of the school site.
• Despite local opposition a second temporary building (school hall) was added to the site.
• School catchment area has been reduced recently to cover only the local parishes. The latest forecast figures are thus suspect and may be revised downwards. Reduced pupil numbers will render the temporary building redundant.
• The traffic congestion caused by the parents and staff continues to get worse, particularly in Plowden Park. Aston Rowant is a small village with road width restrictions and a 30 mph speed limit. Unreasonable to support a school taking pupils from outside the locality, which causes inconvenience and danger to local villagers.

Director’s Comments:

This building has been on site since 1976. It was erected prior to the designation of the Conservation Area in 1984. Council has approved its renewal ever since. On previous occasions District Council objections have been the same as for the current renewal.

Director’s Comments contd:

The building is not readily visible to the public, although it has at some time been repainted a beige colour which does not enhance its appearance in the conservation area. I would therefore recommend that the building should be painted in a more appropriate colour such as dark brown or green to blend in with its surroundings.

The Education Authority considers that the building is in good enough condition to last for another five years and does not have the funding to replace it within this time span.

• The porch which has been added to the building is permitted development and therefore does not need planning permission. It has been included on the application drawings.
• Unfortunately the red line on the application drawing was incorrect and did not exclude the ‘school house’ which has been sold off. This plan has now been corrected.
• The temporary building used as a school hall is not included as part of this application. A separate application is due to be submitted shortly.
• The school catchment area has not been reduced. The present pupil capacity of the school is 84 of which 30 places are provided in permanent accommodation and 54 places in prefabricated classrooms. There are currently 72 pupils at the school. Therefore it remains essential for the school to retain these classrooms in order to provide accommodation for the number of pupils on roll.
• The school is located on the edge of the village well away from the main road. Access to the site is down School Lane. The congestion and problems caused by parents at the start and end of the school day are common to all primary schools. Because of the neighbours’ concerns I would recommend that the school should be encouraged to contact the Travel Wise team to find ways to improve the parking situation around the vicinity of the school.

In conclusion, the building is not of the type of design that I would normally be able to recommend approval for in this Conservation Area. I would expect to see a building with a pitched roof and clad in timber boarding so as to fit better into a rural environment. However, since it was erected prior to the designation of the Conservation Area, is not readily visible and can be further camouflaged, I am able to recommend approval for one further five year period only.

Recommendation

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

1. Detailed compliance.
2. Temporary for 5 years.
3. Colour of building to be agreed.

Contact Officer: Margaret Bough Tel: Oxford 010433