Animal therapy paddocks at Wings East School Main Street, Kirklington

“08/00667/FULM Construction of new accommodation building. Approved 06.08.2008 2.10. 08/00666/CAC Removal of 6 No. temporary mobile classrooms, existing timber framed chemistry classroom and adjacent chemical store, 2 No. open fronted timber framed stores and single storey changing rooms to sports hall Approved 06.08.2008 2.11.”

“The alpacas have been introduced to the site as animal therapy for the pupils at the school, to create a therapeutic learning experience for the students through animal care that is structured, creates discipline, supports emotional development through caring for another creature. The work was carried out in June/July 2025 and four alpacas are now onsite.”

“This application is being referred to the Planning Committee for determination, in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, as there is an objection from a Statutory Consultee (Sports England) The Site 1.1 The site comprises of land at 2.06ha which is located within the existing school grounds to the south west of the main school building, and to the north of Main Street (A617) and north-east of the village of Kirklington.”

“The existing school building is Grade II listed and located within the defined Conservation Area (CA), however the location of the buildings and paddocks are located outside of the CA, but the access (within the red line) is within the CA. Other listed buildings are located to the south and comprise of the Grade II listed School Lodge…”

“Consultations and Representations Please Note: Comments below are provided in summary - for comments in full please see the online planning file. Statutory Consultations For guidance on Statutory Consultees see Table 2: Consultation and pre-decision matters - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Environment Agency – We have no objection to the proposal in principle. However, this proposed development is planned to site the animal shelter within flood zone 3a.”

“Therefore, the proposal would be contrary to exception 4 of the Sport England’s Playing Fields Policy and with paragraph 104(b) of the NPPF. The proposal would lead to the loss of playing field in an area where there is a deficiency in the provision of playing fields.”

“(iii) There were particular site factors which were significant in terms of the weight attached to them relative to other factors if they would be difficult to assess in the absence of a site inspection; and (iv) There were specific site factors and/or significant policy or precedent implications that needed to be carefully addressed. Members considered the presentation from the Senior Planning Officer, which included photographs and plans of the proposed development.”

“Members considered the application acceptable given the inappropriate sports field and the nature for the use of the site for animal therapy for children. Concern was raised that there appeared to be no provision to the wellbeing of the Alpaca’s as the field was located in flood zone 3.”

“AGREED (with 11 votes For and 1 vote Against) that:”

“(a) Planning Permission be approved subject to the conditions, as contained within the report; (b) an additional condition providing a flood evacuation plan protecting the animals on site in the event of flooding, be submitted to the Planning Authority within six months of confirmation of planning permission; and (c) due to the statutory objection from Sport England, the application be referred to the Secretary of State to determine if they wish to call in the application,…”