SEND school at Pounds House, 162 Outland Road, Plymouth

What was proposed

The application sought to change offices into a non-residential special educational needs and disability school.

“Proposal Description Change of use from Offices (Class E) to a Non-residential Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) School (Class F1).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

Pounds House is a Grade II listed Victorian villa surrounded by formal gardens forming part of Central Park, near a surgery.

“Description of Site This application relates to Pounds House, a Grade II listed large Victorian Villa. The site is surrounded by formal gardens which form part of Central Park. To the east of the site is Peverell Park Surgery.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered a single-storey extension, additional parking and an air source heat pump with associated building works.

“21/01210/LBC - Installation of air source heat pump and associated building works (Granted Conditionally)”

“21/01260/FUL - Installation of air source heat pump and associated building works (Granted Conditionally)”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional approval, finding that the proposal would provide a community facility without prejudicing amenity or highway safety.

“Conclusions and Reasons for Decision Officers have taken account of the NPPF and S38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and concluded that the proposal will provide a facility which meets the needs of the community whilst not prejudicing the amenity or highway safety of the surrounding area. The proposal accords with policy and national guidance and is therefore recommended for conditional approval.”

“Recommendation In respect of the application dated 16.04.2026 it is recommended to Grant Conditionally.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, environmental health, natural infrastructure and other consultees raised no objections subject to conditions or had no comments.

“Environmental Health - No objections subject to conditions.”

“Natural Infrastructure - No objections subject to conditions.”

Officer report

What people said

Objectors cited parking, congestion, emergency access, traffic, heritage, greenspace, trees, wildlife, noise and inadequate information, while supporters backed the school and reuse.

“Representations have been received, objecting to the proposal raising the following concerns: - Present parking issues. The access lane is currently operating at maximum capacity with park users, school traffic, patients and staff - Congestion is a hazard - Access road will be used by teachers to park as well as use during pick up and drop off - Reduction in parking and increase in traffic will compromise operation of the GP surgery and overspill into residential streets…”

“- Access lane is narrow and restricted for emergency vehicles and unsuited for an increase in heavy vehicle movements - Unable to reverse out onto Outland Road if meeting another car down the access lane - Proximity to the surgery is a clinical necessity - The introduction of school buses and additional transport is a health and safety risk.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the report and the applicant’s representative spoke to it.

The final decision

The committee granted the application conditionally, as set out in the officer report.

“Following discussions, the Committee agreed to grant the application conditionally, as set out in the report:”

Minutes