Replacement secondary school at Framwellgate School, Framwellgate Moor, Durham

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing most existing school buildings and constructing a consolidated three-storey replacement school with parking, landscaping, pitches and access arrangements.

“The application seeks planning permission for the demolition of the existing main school buildings at the site (excluding the modern existing sports hall) which would be replaced with a single consolidated new three storey school building to be sited immediately adjacent to the north east of the existing buildings that would be demolished.”

“During construction on the new school building a temporary access would be created from Old Pit Lane. This would be timetabled to be removed in September 2027. During phase 2 access would be taken from the existing shared access road outside of school entry and exit time and controlled via persons on the gate. Upon completion the existing site access road and turning circle from Old Pit Lane would be retained and the turning circle would be enhanced.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is an approximately 12.8-hectare secondary school between Framwellgate Moor and Newton Hall, with playing fields, nearby homes and several existing accesses.

“The application site is Framwellgate Secondary School which extends to approximately 12.8 hectares and is in existing educational use (Use Class F1 (a)). It is located between the settlements of Framwellgate Moor and Newton Hall approximately 1.11 miles north of Durham City Centre, within the Framwellgate and Newton Hall Ward.”

“To the north of the site are Footpath Nos. 6 and 7a (Framwellgate Moor),the Pity Me Carrs Local Nature Reserve and Framwellgate Moor Carrs Local Wildlife Site (the closest designated ecological site) and residential properties of Bede Way and Hutton Way. To the east is Old Pit Lane/ Finchale Road and beyond this the Busy Bees Nursery and Pre School, Public Right Of Way No. 115 (Durham City) as well as residential properties.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Numerous applications for extensions and minor alterations have been made over more than 20 years, but none was considered particularly relevant.

“There are numerous planning applications dating back over 20 years relating to extensions and minor alterations on site. None are of which are of particular relevance to the proposal.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the substantial educational and community benefits outweighed minor policy conflicts, subject to conditions and a biodiversity monitoring obligation.

“Policy 6 of the CDP overarches a number of other topic areas that have been specifically further policy assessed, such as equality impacts, residential amenity and pollution, sustainable transport and accessibility, highway safety and capacity, design considerations, landscape and visual impacts, impacts to recreational land, ecology and biodiversity net gain, impacts to heritage, energy efficiency, flood risk and drainage, land stability and contamination, soil…”

“As there is a minor policy conflict the benefits of the proposal have been weighed against the policy conflict identified in the planning balance above. This case has particular significant social benefits, the proposed development would provide an enhanced, modern, high quality education facility on a site currently in use for education purposes. The proposed development would provide a significant benefit to the community, would be sustainable and well…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, drainage, design, ecology and other consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while active travel officers identified concerns about cycling, parking and off-site improvements.

“Active Travel England – recommend approval of the amended application subject to conditions to require detail of cycle parking design to be agreed and the approved cycle parking to implemented on site prior to occupation and retained for cycle parking and a condition that prior to occupation evidence that the pre-occupation elements of the Travel Plan be submitted to and approved and that the Travel Plan be monitored and reviewed details of which to be submitted and…”

“Active Travel– Has requested an Active Travel Route Audit and analysis for cycling connectivity to the site to conclude whether there is a need for off-site transport improvements and that the development be made subject of a condition to require the cycling storage provision as required by the Parking and Accessibility Supplementary Planning Document (2023), Without such information and provision the Officer suggests the application should be refused.”

Officer report

What residents said

Three residents raised concerns about drop-off and pick-up conditions, construction access, privacy, noise, and the location of the replacement school.

“Prior to formal submission the applicant undertook a range of public involvement initiatives including a leaflet drop to residents, e-mail and leaflet to parents website, and 1no. in person event, to ensure that the proposals were widely promoted, and all local residents, businesses and other stakeholders had an opportunity to comment and complete a questionnaire on the evolving scheme.”

“The proposal should address the current issues with the drop off and pick up of students around Cragside which is said to be currently dangerous for vehicles and pedestrians and causing disturbance to and blocking access for residents to their properties. • Concerns over access during construction. • Privacy issues in terms of overlooking to Bede Way property. • Impacts to amenity from noise.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Two people attended to answer questions for the applicant, and Councillor Wilkes spoke about ward issues and the long-standing need for a new school.

What members discussed

Members discussed existing parking and pavement problems, possible changes in school access, additional traffic at Newton Hall junction and whether facilities could accommodate increased numbers.

“[name withheld] and [name withheld] were in attendance to answer questions on behalf of the Applicant. Councillor Wilkes confirmed that the site was within his ward and he had been asking for a new school for two decades. He added that there were existing issues on Newton Drive Estate and parking on the grassed areas on Finchale Road.”

“The Principal DM Engineer confirmed that the facilities that were available were adequate to accommodate the additional numbers envisaged. There was very little that could be done to change the layout of the highway.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

Councillor Wilkes moved approval, Councillor Catchpole seconded it, and the committee approved the application with an amended condition and the stated planning obligation.

“Councillor Wilkes moved a motion to approve the application, which was seconded by Councillor Catchpole.”

“That the application be APPROVED subject to the completion of a planning obligation under the Town and County Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to secure the payment of Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring fees and the conditions outlined in the report, as amended.”

Minutes