Temporary school building at Rivers Academy, Tachbrook Road, Feltham

What was proposed

A three-storey prefabricated temporary school building and temporary playing pitches were proposed for 153 weeks while the main school was redeveloped.

“PLANNING COMMITTEE 07 August 2025 shalini.datta@hounslow.gov.uk References: P/2025/1059 Address: Rivers Academy, Tachbrook Road, Feltham, TW14 9PE Proposal: Erection of a three-storey temporary school building and provision of temporary playing pitches on the school sports field This application is presented to planning committee as a development on Council Land 1.0 SUMMARY 1.1 The proposal is for the erection of a three-storey prefabricated building to be used as temporary…”

Officer report

Related school redevelopment

The temporary works were linked to a separate application for redevelopment of the main school, and were not part of that current proposal.

“P/2025/1059) and has been assessed under it in detail. These temporary works do not form part of the current proposal, and therefore discussions in this regard have been limited to clarifying the policy context alone. The existing school playing fields are ancillary to the school use and have no associated community use.”

Officer report

Playing fields and road safety

Sport England raised no objection because playing field access would be reinstated, while road crossing arrangements were funded by the Council under an agreement.

“The Council were paying for a road crossing because a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed by the Council and Department for Education (DfE) which stated that the ‘SRP does not include funding, either directly or indirectly, for any works which may be required pursuant to the Highways Act1980 (including s278 works) or under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (including s106 works). The cost of any such works will be met by London Borough of Hounslow.”

“Because of the impact on the school field, Sport England (SE) became a statutory consultee regarding the temporary loss of the local open space and the loss of play provisions. In that consultation SE did not note any objections because full access would be reinstated at the expiry of the temporary permission, when SE would again be consulted about the details.”

Minutes

Who spoke

Shalini Datta presented the reports and answered committee questions.

Members discussed the proposal

Councillor Dan Bowring supported approval, citing the existing school’s poor condition, the new design, sustainability credentials and the need for temporary accommodation.

“During debate Cllr Dan Bowring acknowledged that the existing school was in poor condition and energy inefficient, while the proposal a beautiful new design that also had outstanding sustainability credentials. He believed it should be approved and that the temporary permission was essential while demolition and building was taking place.”

Minutes

The committee voted

The committee approved the officer recommendation unanimously, with 12 votes for, none against, none abstaining and one member ineligible.

“Cllr Bowring moved approval of the officer’s recommendations for item 7, seconded by Cllr John Stroud-Turp. Members voted to approve the Application unanimously, with one member…”

“For – 12 Against – None Abstained – None Ineligible to vote – 1”

Minutes

The application was approved

Planning permission was approved for the temporary school building and temporary playing pitches, subject to the recommended conditions.

“Resolved – that planning permission for planning application P2025/1059, erection of a three- storey temporary school building and provision of temporary playing pitches on the school sports field was approved subject to the recommended conditions.”

Minutes