College teaching extension at Weston College University Campus, Weston-super-Mare

What was proposed

A three-storey extension would provide additional teaching, independent learning and staff workspace, alongside minor changes to the existing building’s facade.

“Proposal: Proposed erection of a two/three storey extension to the Health and Active Living Skills Centre of an existing educational facility together with minor alterations to the facade of the existing building.”

“The proposed development entails the erection of a three-storey extension to the HALS centre building together with minor changes/alterations to the façade of the building. The…”

Officer report

The site

The site is within the college campus, mainly on hardstanding, beside the existing centre, parking, campus buildings, trees and vegetation.

“The subject site is situated within the [the applicant] on the western side of Loxton Road. It comprises a site area of approximately 0.076ha and predominantly areas of hardstanding. The subject site adjoins the existing 2-3 storey Health and Active Living Skills (HALS) Centre to the south, is bounded by the existing HALS car parking area and Loxton Campus to the north and by an area with mature trees and vegetation to the west.”

Officer report

Earlier campus development

Earlier applications for a floodlit artificial sports pitch and the existing health and active living centre were approved in 2018.

“Year: 2017 Reference: 17/P/5465/FUL Proposal: New floodlit artificial Sports pitch Decision: Approved 07/03/2018.”

“Year: 2017 Reference: 17/P/2636/F Proposal: Proposed new development of the Health and Active living skills centre incorporating a sports hall; specialist teaching facilities; and alterations of existing external hard and soft landscaping to provide additional car, cycle and pedestrian access Decision: Approved: 31/01/2018”

Officer report

Transport and environmental safeguards

The proposal included a coach bay, travel plan, cycle spaces, parking management, drainage controls, tree planting and measures protecting bats and neighbours.

“At present the college is served by 176 parking spaces and it is not proposed to create any new spaces as part of this application. A parking survey provided as part of TA showed that 31 of these spaces were available. The applicant has calculated that an additional 22 spaces would be needed for staff and students using the extension, based on the Council’s Parking Standards SPD.”

“In addition to the coach parking bay, it is recommended that a Travel Plan and increased cycle spaces be secured by condition. The Travel Plan should promote cycle use, car sharing by both staff and students and encourage public transport use. There should be…”

Officer report

What people said

Most residents objected over traffic, parking, congestion, noise, wildlife, drainage, appearance and capacity, while three supporters cited educational and community benefits.

“Additional traffic on the roads around the college. • Pressure on parking in neighbouring residential streets. • Displaced parking from nearby hospital. • Many students arrive by car. • Road often blocked by drop offs/pick ups • Non-existent traffic enforcement in the area • Accident data in the Traffic Assessment misleading and incomplete. • Minibuses and coaches block local streets. • Risk to pedestrians from parked cars.”

“Over-development of the site. • Increase in teaching space would indicate that there is an expectation of a considerable increase in student numbers • Site has reached capacity • Granting permission would stoke tensions between residents and students • Increased noise pollution, particularly from vehicles • Increased pollution • Impact on drainage • Roof should be a green roof • Improvements could be made to the proposed accessible toilets • Overlooking and loss of privacy…”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Natural England accepted the assessment subject to mitigation, police raised no objection, and the Environment Agency had not responded.

“Concur with the appropriate assessment’s conclusions, providing that all mitigation measures are appropriately secured in any planning permission given.”

“No objection. Secure by Design Accreditation should be sought. The external lighting scheme should be sufficient to cater for lawful after dark activity around the school site and compatible with any CCTV system installed.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local resident spoke against the application, followed by Councillor Helen Thornton, the non-voting ward member, also speaking against it.

Members’ discussion

Members questioned officers about the travel plan, including how targets would be monitored and enforced if breached.

“Members debated the application and asked questions to which officers responded. The travel plan and targets for the development would be monitored, and if there were a breach it would be a planning condition breach and could be enforced by the council.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to a legal agreement securing transport-related contributions and the listed planning conditions.

“The completion of a section 106 legal agreement securing the following:”

“That the application be APPROVED (for the reasons stated in the report and the published Update Sheet) subject to the following conditions and any other additional or amended conditions as may be required in consultation with the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and local members:”

Minutes