Temporary modular school at Former Sony Building, Napier Court, Liverpool

“Proposal Full planning permission is sought for the erection of a two-storey modular school building and associated works for a temporary period of four years. The modular school building essentially comprises of two linked structures consisting of a single storey main hall/dining room and two-storey teaching block. The proposed modular building would be located to the east of the existing L-shaped office building which occupies the plot.”

“The associated works include: • The removal of one ornamental tree group, two trees from within another tree group and one low quality tree group with signs of dieback; • Installation of 2.4 metre high fencing around the perimeter and areas of hardstanding within the site; • Cycle shelter; • Bin store; • Use of the existing car parking bays within the site.”

“The application site is the site of the former Sony office building, ‘Napier Court’, on Stephenson Way, Wavertree Technology Park. It comprises an existing former office building, car parking, and landscaping, with the site taking access from a roundabout at the junction of Stephenson Way and Enterprise Way, and a secondary access further east along Stephenson Way. The site is approximately 1.3ha.”

“The site is located on the south side of the Wavertree Technology Park, to the immediate south of the railway line. To the east and west are further office buildings, with associated car parking, including one (at Vortex Court) which has been occupied as a school under permitted development rights. To the south is a residential estate.”

“Urban Design Specialist The proposal is to erect a temporary school building formed of Portakabin modular cabins for a period of 4 years while the wider site is redeveloped. Though 4 years is a relatively short period of time in terms of the built-environment and policy, it represents a significant percentage of a child’s time at school.”

“The Design and Access statement states that “there is limited potential to reuse the existing structures and refurbish them to the requirements of the school” but provides no supporting evidence for this statement. In the context of the ongoing climate emergency, to which the activities of the construction sector have contributed significantly, demolition should be considered a last resort.”

“That the Application be approved, subject to Conditions as proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control.”

“25F/0671 Installation of a new two storey modular building to be used as classroom facilities for a temporary period of 4 years with associated works to include boundary treatment, pedestrian and vehicle access, bin and cycle store, hardstanding and parking, at the former Sony Building, Napier Court, Stephenson Way, Liverpool 13, be approved subject to Conditions as proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control. _____”