School pupil increase at Dunottar School, Reigate

What was proposed

The school sought to increase pupil numbers from 460 to 600 over five years, amend approved plans and update its travel plan.

“This application is referred to Committee due to the public interest in this application. SUMMARY The proposal is for the school to increase its pupil numbers from 460 to 600 over a period of 5 years. The application is made under s73, as a variation to Condition 18 of 20/01052/S73 which reimposes the pupil number restriction first set in 1995. The condition states: “No more than 460 children shall attend Dunottar School at any one time.”

Officer report

The site

The site contains a Grade II listed school building and locally listed garden, with the existing car park accessed from High Trees Road.

“The application site comprises the site and grounds of Dunottar School. Dunottar itself is a Grade II listed building with a locally listed garden. The listing also incorporates the stable block and water tower. The design for the gardens was drawn up in 1864 (in the style of Edward Kemp). The school site has developed and evolved over the years, with a number of extensions and additional buildings added - particularly on the eastern part of the site.”

“The existing car park is to the north-west of the mansion site and the existing access opens out onto High Trees Road. The site is within a designated area of Urban Open Space.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the education benefits, limited physical changes, heritage safeguards, parking and travel measures made the proposal acceptable.

“To facilitate the additional parking for the teachers and to remove some of the teacher parking from High Trees Road, 15 additional car parking spaces have been proposed which would extend the existing car park (situated towards the north-west of the site).”

“Overall, the proposal would result in limited visible changes to the application site. Those changes that do result would have an acceptable impact on the surrounding area and heritage assets within the site.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Surrey Highways raised no objection after amendments, while residents’ associations and local residents mainly objected to traffic, parking and highway safety.

“Ringley Park Residents’ Association: Comments made prior to most recent amendments including objection to the increase in pupil numbers mainly raising concern with the implications of additional traffic relating to Dunottar School.”

“High Trees Road Residents Association: Comments made prior to most recent amendments including concern with the implications of additional traffic relating to Dunottar School. Raised a number of further concerns with regard to the detail and specifics of the application prior to the previous initially intended committee meeting regarding issues such as works outside the redline, loss of previous conditions, consideration of heritage assets, and lack of inclusion of…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local resident spoke against the application, another described traffic and safety problems, and the school’s headmaster supported gradual expansion and mitigation.

What members debated

Members discussed consultation on possible yellow lines, sixth-form parking, increased car movements and whether the travel measures should begin immediately.

“Members agreed that local residents should be consulted regarding whether yellow lines should be added to surrounding roads. It was also acknowledged that additional pupils would increase the number of car movements in the area. There was concern that 6 th formers would park in the surrounding roads as they were not permitted to park on-site. Members noted that Travel Plans were enforceable.”

“Councillor Johnston, a visiting member and ward member, stated that he knew the area well and the difference in traffic on the weekend when compared with the week was striking. It was felt that the Traffic and Travel Plan would not mitigate the issues. It was felt that the mitigation plan should commence immediately, rather than in 2 years’ time. The Travel Plan was only published 8 weeks ago; however, this proposal had been on the table for 2 years now.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission subject to the recommended conditions, addendum changes, Section 106 agreement and additional informatives promoting consultation and resident liaison.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions as per the recommendation and addendum changes plus the additional informatives. To also include the S106 Agreement.”

“Additional Action: To write to Surrey CC Highways to encourage meaningful consultation upon any future s278 works with residents, Ward Cllrs and Chairs of Planning Committee.”

Minutes