Agenda item

Agenda item

Planning Application No. CB/17/04050/FULL (Cranfield and Marston Moretaine)

 

Address:       Holywell Middle School, Red Lion Close, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0JA

 

Extension to reception area, new 7 classroom teaching block, new 3 court sports hall and changing area.

 

Applicant:     Ellis Williams Architects

Minutes:

 

The Committee had before it a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/17/04050/FULL for an extension to the reception area, new 7 classroom teaching block, new 3 court sports hall and teaching area at Holywell Middle School, Red Lion Close, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0JA.

 

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee's attention was drawn to an additional/amended condition as set out in the Late Sheet.  The planning officer also advised verbally that there had been a request for an additional highways condition for a revised travel plan.

 

(Note: At this point in the proceedings the Chairman stated that he had failed to seek any declarations of interest from Members with regard to those planning applications to be considered during the afternoon session of the Committee.  However, Members stated that they had assumed the declarations provided at the beginning of the meeting covered the day in full.   The Chairman, Councillor Matthews, declared a personal interest with regard to the current application because he knew both speakers.  He also advised that he resided on the corner of Red Lion Close, Cranfield but would not be affected in any way by the application).

 

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received representations from Cranfield Parish Council and the applicant/Head Teacher under the public participation scheme.

 

A Member sought clarification from the Parish Council representative regarding comments made by the latter on the absence of the approved footpath (Church Walk) between Home Farm development and the school and the impact this would have in the form of increased vehicle use.  The Member advised that he had been asked by a ward Member to speak to the developer (Persimmon) in his capacity as Executive Member for Regeneration and bring forward the S106 obligation relating to this matter.  The meeting noted that the same ward Member was attempting to secure the provision of the footpath as quickly as was possible though complications existed.

 

A Member sought clarification from the applicant/Head Teacher regarding the poor state of the school's multi-use games area (MUGA) and the extent of its use.  In response the latter explained that the MUGA had restricted use during the summer because it was unsafe when wet.  However, the area of the MUGA that remained following the construction of the new sports hall would be resurfaced, marked out for use and made available to the community as would the new sports hall.

 

Another Member sought clarification relating to the number of students that were bussed to the school.  The Committee noted the number, geographical origin and that approximately 5 buses were employed.

 

The Committee considered the application and in summary discussed the following:

 

·         That the additional facilities were welcomed.

·         The recent consideration by the Executive of safer routes to schools and school transport plans and the availability of officers to assist schools with these issues.

·         That should traffic management issues arise they could be brought before the Council’s Traffic Management body for consideration.

·         That officers met with schools to discuss parking issues and officers would focus on specific schools if required.

·         That the planned expansion of schools to meet growing demand was possible if sufficient land was available.

 

On being put to the vote Members voted unanimously for approval (11 voted for, 0 voted against and 0 abstained).

 

RESOLVED

 

that Planning Application No. CB/17/04050/FULL relating to Holywell Middle School, Red Lion Close, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0JA be approved as set out in the Schedule attached to these minutes.

 

 

 

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