Classroom dome at Kids Love Nature Avon Forest Park Brocks Pine St Leonards And St Ives

What was proposed

A 4.85-metre classroom dome with an adjacent toilet and decking would extend the existing kindergarten and accommodate up to nine additional children.

“Description of development 5.1 It is proposed to erect a domed structure on land immediately to the south of the visitor centre on the existing outdoor play area for the kindergarten. The dome would be 4.85m high with a footprint of 7.89m x 7.2m. A small flat-roofed toilet would be positioned adjacent to the north of the dome with a footprint of 1.6m x 2.6m and height of 2.2m.”

“It is proposed to increase the number of full-time employees from 7 to 11 and part-time employees from 4 to 6. This is to accommodate up to 9 additional children at the…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The kindergarten operates within Avon Heath Country Park, with visitor facilities, gardens and woodland, in the countryside, Green Belt and an Area of Great Landscape Value.

“Description of site 4.1 The application site is within Avon Heath Country Park which is operated by Dorset Council. The kindergarten business run by ‘Kids Love Nature’ has operated from within the existing Visitor Centre since 2012. The Kindergarten (Avon Heath, Outdoor Nursery | Nature, Outdoor nurseries | Kids Love Nature) is attended by children aged between 2 – 5 and is open between 07:45 to 18:00 for 51 weeks of the year.”

“The site is in the countryside outside any settlement boundary, within designated Green Belt and within an Area of Great Landscape Value.”

Officer report

Planning history

Earlier permissions covered access, visitor facilities, the visitor centre, landscaping, an information-centre alteration and a wider country-park proposal.

“Background and relevant planning history Planning application Proposal Decision 03/84/0139/HST Construct Access From A31 To Land Proposed For WC, Picnic Area, Visitors Info. Centre & Parking Spaces Granted 24/01/1984 03/86/0803/QF Car Park And Toilet Facilities…”

Officer report

The recommended approach

Approval was recommended because the dome was considered acceptable in principle, suitably designed, appropriate in the Green Belt and beneficial to the kindergarten.

“The site is in the countryside outside any settlement boundary and requires a countryside location to provide the type of early years education to accord with the kindergarten business aims. In respect of Core Strategy Policy PC4: The rural economy, the proposal represents a development that would aid the economic viability of the existing kindergarten by providing an enhanced facility for the children and allow additional children to attend.”

“The proposed dome is modest in scale and would not have an adverse impact on the AGLV. There would be some impact on the openness of the Green Belt, but this is accepted given the proposal is considered to be ‘appropriate development’ in the Green Belt.”

Officer report

Main planning effects

The proposal was assessed as having no adverse impact on flooding, highways, trees or biodiversity, with mitigation and biodiversity net gain secured through conditions.

“Impact on trees 14.20 The Council’s Tree Officer has advised that the trees affected by the scheme are lower quality trees and as such the proposed erection of a classroom doom would be acceptable subject to the erection of the tree protection fencing shown in the submitted Arboricultural report. A condition is recommended to require this fencing and with this in place, the proposal would have no adverse on trees and complies with Core Strategy Policy HE2.”

“Biodiversity 14.21 The submitted Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) identifies that the proposal has the potential for impacts during construction and advises a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) is provided to prevent impacts. It also identifies mitigation and enhancement measures in Sections 6.0 & 7.0.”

Officer report

What speakers said

The agent supported the modest, durable extension, while the applicant highlighted early years education, conservation and community benefits.

Members’ views

Members described the proposal as a great opportunity providing excellent facilities and experiences for young children.

“Members questions and comments • Noted that the proposal represented a great opportunity. • Highlighted that it would provide excellent facilities and experiences for young children.”

Minutes

The vote

Members proposed and seconded approval of the recommendation to grant permission subject to the listed conditions.

“Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to APPROVE the officer’s recommendation to GRANT as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Spencer Flower, and seconded by Cllr David Morgan, subject to conditions set out in the officer report.”

Minutes