Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 July 2014 (PN3) and to receive information arising from them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 July 2014 were approved and signed subject to the second paragraph of Minute 26/14 being amended to read as follows:

Sutton Courtenay Waste Management Site

Details of the amount of costs claimed against the Council in relation to the two refused applications at the Sutton Courtenay Waste Management Site where planning permission had been granted on appeal were still awaited.

Extension to Caversham sand and gravel quarry

A response from the Secretary of State had now been received to the effect that he did not wish to intervene in this matter.

County Councillor Nick Hards (Didcot West) for Item 6 – (Development of a new two form entry primary school (420 pupils and 26fte nursery) and associated groundworks forming part of the Great Western Park (GWP) urban extension currently under construction to the west of Didcot on land to the north of B4493, Didcot Road, Didcot - Application No. R3.0092/14)

Mr Periam advised on the following two matters:

Sutton Courtenay Waste Management Site

Details of costs claimed against the Council had been received and set at £84,069.69. However that had been reduced on negotiation to £50,000. He undertook to circulate a breakdown of those costs ((together with a breakdown of the County Council’s direct costs) to members of the Committee.

Extension to Caversham sand and gravel quarry

Planning permission had been issued on 20 August 2014.

Report by the Deputy Director for Environment & Economy (Strategy & Infrastructure Planning) (PN6)

This is a planning application for a new two form entry primary school forming form part of the Didcot Great Western Park Development. The application is being put before Committee because of the transport concerns raised by Councillor Lilly and Councillor Hards.

The report also assesses other policy and material considerations, including design of the building.

It is RECOMMENDED that subject to the applicant first providing a Unilateral Undertaking to provide the sum of £2,480 for the monitoring of the Travel Plan that planning permission be approved for Application R3.0092/14 subject to conditions to be determined by the Deputy Director for Environment & Economy (Strategy & Infrastructure Planning) but to include the following:

1.            That the development be carried out strictly in accordance with the plans P001, P002, P003, P004, P005, P006, P007 and P008, and particulars of the development contained in the application except as modified by conditions of this permission.

2.            That the development to which this approval relates must be begun not later than three years from the date of the grant of planning permission.

3.            No development shall take place until a schedule of materials have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

4.            Prior to the first occupation of the primary school a school travel plan shall be submitted and approved. That travel plan shall:

a.            Incorporate a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) detailed appraisal. Such an appraisal shall be provided for the encouragement of the use of sustainable modes of transport for this educational development and the promotion of highways safety.

b.            Be implemented upon occupation of the school.

c.            Be thereafter used to promote the use of sustainable transport and avoidance of the use of the private car for single child drop offs and pick-ups.

d.            Be subject to annual review and approval by the LPA for the first five years of occupation.

5.            The growth in the number of primary school pupils shall not exceed 60 in any one year.

6.            Subsequent to the primary school roll reaching 120, no more pupils shall be admitted until the review of the travel plan required by condition 4 has been approved.

7.            Subsequent to the primary school roll reaching 180, no more pupils shall be admitted until an updated travel plan has been prepared, submitted to the LPA, approved and implemented. That plan shall include:

                 i.             An assessment of the impact of the traffic generated by the school on the local highway network.

               ii.             A review of the implementation and effect of the original Travel Plan

              iii.             Such further measures and/or works as may be necessary to deliver the objectives set out in condition 4 

8.            The number of nursery places shall be no more than 26.

9.            Prior to the construction of the car park area a schedule of planting for the area be submitted and approved.

The Committee considered (PN6) an application for a new two form entry primary school as part of the Didcot Great Western Park Development.

Mr Broughton highlighted amendments to:

·                       Condition 1 which had been set out in the published addenda; and

·                       paragraph 14 of the report to read “A total of 36 spaces” and not 34. 

With regard to the comment from the Vale of White Horse District Council (paragraph 20) regarding their suggestion that larger trees should be used in the car park to provide screening he confirmed he would be seeking advice from the County Council’s tree officer regarding potential damage to adjoining areas from root growth.  He reaffirmed that although there had been no specific objections received with regard to design a number of major concerns had been expressed regarding transport issues. The application was finely balanced between those concerns and central government guidance regarding provision of educational facilities but he reminded the Committee that Condition 7 had been included in order to expressly address these issues.

Councillor Hards was not confident that a travel plan would meet expectations and he wondered what the next course of action would be to deal with the problems which he felt would inevitably occur at the beginning and end of each school day. However, as this was a new build he felt it presented opportunities to deal with these issues in a more constructive way. He also referred to representations he had received from a Great Western Park resident regarding potential dangers to children walking to school on estate roads. He confirmed that other than arrangements for dropping off and picking up he was happy with all aspects of the school including its design.

Mr McMillan confirmed that the new housing development would preclude on street parking although there could be 87 spaces available 5 minutes from the school.  Again there was no certainty that they would be used and there was the possibility that the usual problems experienced at other schools could be mirrored here as drivers sought to park as close as possible to the school, although it would be some years before that situation became unmanageable but it was for that reason that Condition 7 gave the power to halt further intake should any such issues arise as the school developed.

Mr Gregory confirmed that officers were already engaged with the school in promoting alternatives such as bussing in children, a walking bus and encouraging walking and cycling.

Councillor Purse suggested that the bus bay represented wasted space if it was confined only to parking for school outings.

Responding to points raised during debate Mr Broughton confirmed that it was only possible to condition the applicant to pay the costs of monitoring a Travel Plan.  There had been no objection from Sport England regarding playing field provision.  Zig-zag lines at the entrance to the school could be addressed as part of the development. An amendment to the design to provide an in/out drop off area could be provided  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34/14