Two-storey school block at Brocks Hill Primary School, Oadby

What was proposed

The application proposed a two-storey teaching block, additional school facilities, parking, drop-off and cycle spaces, new playgrounds and altered access.

“Site Address: Brocks Hill Primary School, Howdon Road, Oadby, Leicestershire, LE2 5WP Application Description: Erection of two storey teaching block, car parking, drop off area, cycle parking and new playgrounds including alterations to site access. Purpose of Report: To consider and determine the planning application accordingly. The application is brought before committee following a member call in on highways and access concerns.”

“Externally, the area of playground removed to accommodate the teaching block is to be replaced by infilling around existing play spaces whilst encroaching as little as possible onto the playing field. The layout of playing field is to be amended to form a 9v9 football pitch which through a Community Use Agreement would be made available to the public.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The school sits among other schools and homes, with existing peak-time traffic and parking problems and a narrow internal access road.

“The site is located to the south side of Howdon Road, a one-way road running to Briar Meads to the west. The development site accommodates Brocks Hill Primary School, the western most of a row of 3 schools with Beauchamp College and Gartree High School set to the east of the site and served off of Ridge Way a further one way road running from Coombe Rise to Howdon Road.”

“The wider site is comprised the main single storey school building formed of various flats roof elements at differing heights with a further single storey detached flat roof teaching block set to the east of the main building. The Hunny Comb Nursery is set to the north of the site close to the site access being developed and extended from the former caretaker’s bungalow which is located to the north of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier site development

Earlier permissions allowed a classroom block, additional parking, a nursery in the former caretaker’s bungalow and a single-storey side extension.

“Relevant Planning History 16/00560/FUL - Erection of single storey classroom block and construction of 9 additional car parking spaces - Approved (16.02.2017) 17/00489/FUL - Single storey extensions and use of building as a day nursery (former caretakers bungalow) - Approved (21.12.2017) 22/00461/FUL - Single storey side extension - Approved (13.03.2023) 4.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the additional school places necessary, the site improvements beneficial and the highway impacts acceptable subject to conditions and an agreement.

“It is noted that on advice from the Leicestershire County Council School Organisation Service who are involved with the planning and funding for school places in Oadby that the need for an additional 210 school places in the Brocks Hill catchment area is in part made up of 105 pupils from the Cottage Farm development.”

“The full comments of County Highways are available in the consultation response section of the report however to summarize, the baseline data provided is accepted by County Highways who have advised “the impacts of the development on highway safety would not be unacceptable”. Subject to conditions and contributions outlined in the response they are not opposed to the proposed development.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two people spoke on behalf of the applicant, and the ward councillor spoke about the application.

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to grant permission in accordance with the submitted documents and plans, subject to the prescribed conditions and informatives.

“It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor G A Boulter and…”

“The application be PERMITTED planning permission in accordance with the submitted documents and plans subject to the prescribed conditions and informatives.”

Minutes