Agenda item

Presentation of a pre-application scheme for the change of use of site from playing fields (D2) to 1,680 pupil secondary school (D1), with associated erection of new three storey school building and two storey sports block, car park, service yard, new pedestrian and vehicle entrance and associated landscaping including provision of an all-weather pitch.

Ward: Croham

Presentation of a pre-application scheme for the change of use of site from playing fields (D2) to 1,680 pupil secondary school (D1), with associated erection of new three storey school building and two storey sports block, car park, service yard, new pedestrian and vehicle entrance and associated landscaping including provision of an all-weather pitch.

Ward: Croham

Representatives of the applicant attended to give a presentation to the Members’ as questions and issues were raised for discussion with further consideration prior to their submission of a planning application.

The main issues raised during the meeting were as follows:

The design of the scheme

§   The Committee positively welcomed the design and interest of the layout of the school. The Committee noted the attention of the landscape design which included the theatre to create a better environment.

§   The application should also include views of the school from the road side and the park (longer distance views) to give an indication of its relationship to the wider setting. The school view from the hedge was acknowledged.

§   A good understanding of the various site levels and the extent to which the scheme responded positively to the level changes

§   Welcomed the sports academy – and encouraged the full range of sports (including cricket)

§   Ensure that the scheme deals with any nature conservation impacts – especially close to nearby woodland

Community use of the school outside school hours

§   The Committee acknowledged the space (indoor and outdoor) should be maximised for “out of school hours” activities which would need to be properly determined and controlled through a community use protocol.

Pedestrian/Highway Safety

§   The existing high number of pupils attending nearby schools already use trams and other transport modes and the Planning Committee queried the capacity of the trams and buses to accommodate further trips.

§   The Committee was concerned of the road traffic speed on Coombe Road which is considered busy and dangerous with the need for mitigation (signage and other speed calming measures) – especially as cars move east to west).

§   Careful thought needs to be given to pedestrian crossing arrangements on Coombe Road – striking an appropriate balance between pedestrian safety and the free flow of traffic.

§   The need for a formalised controlled crossing to ensure pedestrian safety – which will need to be properly audited. Needs to be carefully located in Coombe Road  

§   Greater efforts need to be made to encourage cycling to and from the school (pupils as well as staff) especially as it is proposed to be a Sports Academy. The school should be significantly more ambitious to reduce reliance on the private car and encourage more sustainable modes of transport. The required travel plan needs to be ambitious.

§   The application should address a proactive plan to encourage more walking and cycling. Cycling infrastructure was considered necessary to encourage the sport focused school; which should include Transport for London’s cycle guideline on cycle lanes.

§   Need to consider separation of pedestrian and cycle lanes – possibly on the opposite side of Coombe Road (Lloyd Park)

§   Vehicle visibility is important at the main vehicle entrances with the desire to retain important trees

§   Careful consideration required around the timings and arrangements for service vehicles

On Site and On-Street Car Parking

§   There was a difference of opinion about the most appropriate level of on-site car parking with some Members accepting relatively high levels of on-site car parking on the basis that it would limit and mitigate on street car parking and pupil drop in neighbouring residential streets (which have limited car parking capacity). The alternative view was that the high level of on-site car parking would encourage unsustainable car trips and would do little to encourage more sustainable trips (including walking and cycling) to and from school by pupils and members of staff.

§   On site drop off was welcomed to avoid indiscriminate drop off in Melville Road and Coombe Road – although there was an alternative view that large areas set aside for pupil drop might be counter-productive, in view of the need to encourage sustainable travel to and from school.

Neighbour Impacts

§   The need for the school to respect the amenities of neighbours (the need to mitigate noise breakout though design of the amenity areas and the density of planting on boundaries).