School redevelopment at Sandbach School, Crewe Road, Sandbach

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing 10 blocks, altering listed buildings, building a sports hall and teaching block, and providing landscaping, parking and temporary accommodation.

“The application seeks the proposed redevelopment of Sandbach School comprising the demolition of 10 blocks and partial demolition of the Grade II Listed Grammar School Building and Lodge Building; construction of a new Sports Hall and Teaching Block, internal and external alterations to the Grade II Listed Grammar School Building and Lodge Building, together with associated works including landscaping, car parking and siting of temporary accommodation.”

“Removal of buildings at the end of their useful life • Construction of new school buildings, including teaching block, new swimming pool and sports facilities block> Two blocks will be connected at first floor level by a bridge containing a new music department • Refurbishment of six existing buildings • New pedestrian and cycling pathway adjacent to the current vehicular access with new car parking and cycle shelters • New hard and soft landscaping…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended delegated approval because the proposal’s principle, highways, parking, residential amenity, heritage and design effects were acceptable, subject to a protected species survey.

“The impact in terms of highway safety and parking is acceptable, and the proposals would not have any significant impact on residential amenity in terms of privacy, light, noise and disturbance.”

“Delegate Approval to the Head of Planning in consultation Chair/Vice-Chair of Strategic Planning Board subject to the submission of satisfactory protected species survey and the following conditions…”

Officer report

Support and objections

Six representations were received: four supported the proposal, while objections concerned privacy, noise, property stability, bus drop-off and parking.

“At the time of report writing, six representations have been received. Four express strong support for the proposals. The objections cite loss of privacy, noise, impact on stability of nearby properties, the siting of the bus drop off site and the proposals paving the way to increased pupil numbers leading to inadequate parking provision.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An agent attended and made representations, and a statement supporting the application was read for an adjacent ward councillor.

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to delegate approval to the Head of Planning with the Chair or Vice-Chair, subject to the survey and listed conditions.

“That the application be delegated for approval to the Head of Planning in consultation Chair/Vice-Chair of Strategic Planning Board subject to the submission of satisfactory protected species survey and the following conditions…”

“In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions / informatives / planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Planning has delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chairman of the Strategic Planning Board, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.”

Minutes