Agenda item

Erection of double height space linking existing school block to a new Library space at first floor. Erection of extension to existing technology block, comprising two classrooms in single storey structure. Recladding to some areas of existing school facade. New landscaping with covered walkways and updated parking facilities.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions

The Committee were advised that the proposal was for the erection of double height space linking existing school block to a raised Library space (Proposed); erection of extension to existing technology block, comprising two classrooms of single storey structure; Recladding to some areas of existing school façade; and new landscaping with covered walkways and updated parking facilities. The works also included the the provision of a new external fire escape stair to the west end of Block A2. The proposed works had been amended from that which was originally proposed. These amendments were primarily in relation to the proposed tree removal and on-site car parking adjacent to Trulock Road. These aspects of the original scheme had now been removed.

The proposed development essentially included a mix of new build, remodelling and refurbishment to the two existing schools. A main design aspect of this development scheme had been the grouping of classrooms within departments to create a ‘hub’ and to foster ownership as well as circulation. Approximately 370m² of existing school buildings are to be demolished, with a new build area of 816m². The proposed works would result in a net increase of 6% of the existing floorspace of the two schools. Further, approximately 3772m² of the existing school was to be remodelled and 2041m² was to be refurbished.

The Chair advised that she was declaring a personal and prejudicial interest in the item as her daughter was the assistant Head Teacher at the school.  The Chair advised that she would relinquish the Chair and take no further part in the discussion of the item, and left the proceedings.

Councillor Mallett also declared an interest in this item, and the following item as a Member of the BSF, and left the proceedings.

The Committee then viewed the plans.

Councillor Dodds took the Chair.

COUNCILLOR DODDS IN THE CHAIR

The Head of Legal Services representative clarified, when asked, that in the absence of the Chair the Vice or Deputy Chair automatically took the Chair if they were present.

The Committee then raised concerns in relation to the materials to be used as wood cladding and the need to ensure a negligible costs in terms of maintenance etc and whether the proposed wood material could be treated in coated fashion requiring less maintenance, together with the need to ensure the least amount of disruption to the school by the erection of scaffolding during school terms.  The Committee also commented on the issue of the proposed roof pitch and the need to ensure a pitched as opposed to a flat roof on all of the new build as this attributed a maintenance cost which would be borne by the schools themselves and would be an added expense both short and long term.  The wider landscaping of the site and relocation of the fish pond would be welcomed, and the car park could be landscaped with trees, as well as improving the frontage by additional trees/shrubs at the site was welcomed.

Officers responded that in terms of the wood and timber issue this was covered to some extent under condition 6 and also that an informative could be added to the condition in terms of treatment of cladding.  In respect of some of the new build there was a mix of flat and pitched roofs and officers could add an informative in terms of the requirement of slight or pitched roofs as opposed to flat roofs.

Following further points of clarification on a MOTION by the Chair it was unanimously:

RESOLVED

That the application be granted subject to conditions and additional  informative in relation the propiosed roof designs being pitched as oposed to flat.

INFORMATION RELATING TO APPLICATION REF: HGY/2008/0857

FOR PLANNING COMMITTEE DATED 09/06/2008

Location: Northumberland Park Community School and the Vale Trulock Road N17 0PG

Proposal: Erection of double height space linking existing school block to a raised Library space (Proposed). Erection of extension to existing technology block, comprising two classrooms of single storey structure. Recladding to some areas of existing school facade. New landscaping with covered walkways and updated parking facilities.

Recommendation: GTD

Decision: GTD

Drawing No’s: (21)A002G, (21)A003D, (21)A004, (21)A005C, (21)A101, (21)A102A, (21)A104B, (21)A105, (90)LP002 B, (90)LP003, (90)A002, (90)A006,        (90)A007, GS270789/100 (Elevations), GS270789/100 (Block A North & East Elevations), GS270789/101, GS270789/102, GS270789/103, GS270789/104, GS270789/200 P2, GS270789/201 P2, GS270789/202 P1, GS270789/203 P1, GS270789/204 P2 &  GS270789/205 P2.

Conditions:

1.       The development hereby authorised must be begun not later than the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission, failing which the permission shall be of no effect.

Reason: This condition is imposed by virtue of the provisions of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and to prevent the accumulation of unimplemented planning permissions.

2.       The development hereby authorised shall be carried out in complete accordance with the plans and specifications submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In order to ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the approved details and in the interests of amenity.

3.       With the exception of those threes marked for removal on the submitted landscaping plan, the existing trees on the site shall not  be lopped, felled or otherwise affected in any way (including raising and lowering soil levels under the crown spread of the trees) and no excavation shall be cut under the crown spread of the trees without the prior written permission of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In order to safeguard the trees in the interest of visual amenity of the area.

4.       The construction works of the development hereby granted shall not be carried out before 0800 or after 1800 hours Monday to Friday or before 0800 or after 1200 hours on Saturday and not at all on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Reason: In order to ensure that the proposal does not prejudice the enjoyment of neighbouring occupiers of their properties.

5.       Prior to the commencement of use of any of the new buildings, a minimum number of thirty (30) cycle racks are to be provided on the site.

Reason: To promote sustainable means of transport and reduce traffic congestion in the area.

6.       Notwithstanding the description of the materials in the application, no development shall be commenced until precise details of the materials to be used in connection with the development hereby permitted have been submitted to, approved in writing by and implemented in accordance with the requirements of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In order to retain control over the external appearance of the development in the interest of the visual amenity of the area.

7.       Notwithstanding the details of landscaping referred to in the application, a scheme for the landscaping and treatment of the surroundings of the proposed development to include detailed drawings of:

a.    those existing trees to be retained.

b.    those existing trees to be removed.

c.    those existing trees which will require thinning, pruning, pollarding or lopping as a result of this consent.  All such work to be agreed with the Council's Arboriculturalist.

d.    Those new trees and shrubs to be planted together with a schedule of species shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of the development.  Such an approved scheme of planting, seeding or turfing comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out and implemented in strict accordance with the approved details in the first planting and seeding season following the occupation of the building or the completion of development (whichever is sooner).  Any trees or plants  proposed, which, within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed, become damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with a similar size and species.  The landscaping scheme, once implemented, is to be maintained and retained thereafter to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In order for the Local Authority to assess the acceptability of any landscaping scheme in relation to the site itself, thereby ensuring a satisfactory setting for the proposed development in the interests of the visual amenity of the area.

8.       Within 3 months of the commencement of development, a Green Travel Plan for the School shall be submitted, to include measures for promoting non-car-borne journeys to and from the School.

Reason: In order to encourage more sustainable modes of travel for the School.

9.       Detailed drawings of a planting or landscaping scheme for the area shown to be laid out as a car park in the north-east corner of the site (i.e. on the corner of Trulock Road and to the South of Trulock Court), shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority prior to commencement of development, and thereafter implemented in accordance with such approved plans

Reason: In order to maintain vegetative cover and biodiversity on the site, and in the interests of its visual appearance.

INFORMATIVE: You are advised that, in order to reduce long-term maintenance and prevent water ingression, the roofs to the new single storey technology classrooms should be designed with sufficient ‘fall’ to enable adequate drainage from the roof.

INFORMATIVE: You are requested to ensure that the timber cladding to the Library is treated in such a way as to preserve its appearance and durability without the need for frequent renovation.

INFORMATIVE: You are requested to make alternative provision within the overall site for the relocation of the existing pond which contributes to the bio diversity and appearance of the school play areas.

REASONS FOR APPROVAL

The proposed development for the erection of double height space linking existing school block to a raised Library space (Proposed); erection of extension to existing technology block, comprising two classrooms of single storey structure; Recladding to some areas of existing school façade; new landscaping with covered walkways and updated parking facilities; and provision of a new external fire escape stair to the west end of Block A2 complies with policies 3A.21 'Education Facilities' of The London Plan, G2 'Development and Urban Design', G9  'Community Well Being ', UD3 'General Principles', UD4 'Quality Design' and CW2 'Protecting Existing Community Facilities' of the adopted Haringey Unitary Development Plan and Supplementary Planning Guidance SPG1a 'Design Guidance'.

Section 106, No