Agenda item

Report by Head of Sustainable Development (PN6)

The report outlines a proposal to construct a single storey building in the grounds of Great Milton C of E School to provide a new Children’s Centre.  The proposal also involves the removal of a temporary classroom building (also used as a community resource area), a detached brick built store and the erection of three extensions to the school to create replacement accommodation for the lost classroom/community resource facility and store, and a reading room.  The application has generated much interest locally and responses received from local residents and the Parish and District Councils are included along with other consultees replies.  The comments of the Head of Sustainable Development on the issues raised and the merits of the proposal are also included along with the recommendation on the application.

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to approve Application No. R3.0188/09 (for the demolition of a temporary classroom/ community resources building and brick built store and the erection of a single storey building to provide a children’s centre, and the erection of extensions to provide replacement classroom and community resources facility, reading room and replacement store, along with associated external works; at Great Milton C of E School) subject to:

(a)                     the applicant first (before a permission is issued) securing and if necessary obtaining planning permission for suitable alternative temporary arrangements for parking for use by the school during the period of construction

(b)                    to conditions to be determined by the Head of Sustainable Development to include the following matters:

1.            That the development must be carried out strictly in accordance with the particulars contained in the application and the plans accompanying subject to conditions below.

2.            That the development shall commence within 3 years of the date of the permission.

3.            That samples of the external materials proposed to be used shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Head of Sustainable Development prior to the commencement of development.

4.            That no development shall take place until the trees on the site which are to be retained and which are adjacent to or within the development area, have been protected during building operations by means of a protective fence around the edge of the canopy of the trees.

5.            That the site be landscaped and planted with trees (including replacement trees) and shrubs in accordance with a comprehensive planting and landscaping scheme first approved by the Head of Sustainable Development.

6.            That all planting, seeding or turfing comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting season following the occupation of the buildings or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner.

7.            The hours of operation of the children’s centre for use by the public shall be restricted to between 9.30 am and 2.30 pm Monday to Friday during term time.

8.            The hours of use of the children’s centre at other times (outside school hours) shall be submitted for agreement by the Head of Sustainable Development before any use of the Centre commences.

9.            That the high split level windows on the western elevation of the proposed children’s centre building shall be frosted or glazed with obscure glass.

10.       That prior to the commencement of the development full details of any additional proposed lighting, shall be submitted to and approved by the Head of Sustainable Development.

11.       That prior to the first occupation of the children’s centre building the existing school Travel Plan for the site shall be updated and submitted to the Head of Sustainable Development for approval.

12.       That prior to the commencement of the development details of a sustainable drainage scheme for the proposed site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Head of Sustainable Development.

13.       Vegetation removal should not take place during the bird breeding season, which is March-August inclusive.  If any trees and/or bushes need to be removed during this time, they will need to be checked over by an ecological consultant immediately prior to removal to ensure there are no nesting birds present.  If nesting birds are present, the vegetation cannot be removed until the birds have fledged.

14.       If any protected species not initially surveyed for are found at any point, all work should cease immediately.  Work should not recommence until a full survey has been carried out, a mitigation strategy prepared and licence obtained (if necessary) in discussion and agreement with Natural England.

15.       The existing pond shall not be removed until a new pond is created in a position to be agreed by the Head of Sustainable Development.

16.       The existing pond shall not be removed except in the months of August, September and October.  The pond shall be drained gradually and the plant material removed from it should be stacked by the side of the pond for at least 24 hours to allow any animals trapped to escape before the vegetation is removed.

17.       Details of the proposals to create habitats for bats in the new buildings shall be submitted for agreement by the Head of Sustainable Development.

18.       If any works are planned to occur later than April 2010, the submitted protected species survey must be updated.

19.       Details of proposals for the formation of 3 additional on site parking spaces shall be submitted and agreed by the Head of Sustainable Development before development commences.

20.       Details of a construction traffic management plan (to include details of times of delivery of materials) shall be submitted and agreed by the Head of Sustainable Development before development commences.

Archaeological Informative – if archaeological finds do occur during development the County Archaeologist shall be notified in order that he may visit the site and advise as necessary.

The Committee had before it an application setting out a proposal to construct a single storey building at Great Milton CE School to provide a new children’s centre.

Mr Dance advised that the application site was within the Green Belt and that the report before the Committee did not properly take into account this policy designation in the assessment of the proposal.  He recommended that to ensure that the Committee was able to make a sound judgement about the merits of the proposal, that consideration of the proposal be deferred to a later meeting. 

The Committee agreed that the report be withdrawn.