School teaching and PE annexes at Renfrewshire Council Main Building Park Mains High School, Erskine

“Reference No 25/0510/PP Application Type Planning Permission (Major) Proposal Erection of new-build 3 storey Teaching Annex Building and 2 storey P.E. Annex Building, single-storey Dining Extension to existing School building courtyard. Associated landscape works including canopy over amphitheatre steps, canopy to external courtyard dining area and seating. Alteration and extension of bus parking area and car parking.”

“Proposal This application seeks planning permission for the erection of a 3-storey teaching annex building, 2 storey physical education (PE) annex building and a single storey dining extension at Park Mains High School, Erskine. The proposal would also include other associated works including landscaping, a canopy over the amphitheatre steps and external courtyard dining area.”

“Site Description The application site relates to Park Mains High School, which is located to the south-west of Rashieholm Roundabout, Erskine. The school is a flat roofed building comprising of a central atrium with three wings to the rear of the building.”

“The current pupil capacity of Park Mains High School is currently 1,717 pupils taking account of temporary modular classrooms. The proposed extensions would result in a maximum capacity of 2,000 pupils.”

“Site History The planning history for the site is as follows; if no history is listed then planning has no record of previous applications for the site.”

“Application No: 05/0009/RD Description: Construction of synthetic surfaced football pitch with associated fencing and floodlighting. Decision: Deemed Consent:”

“The application relates to the extension of an existing school within school grounds and the development does not introduce a new land use. As such, the principle of the school in this location has already been established and it is not under assessment within this application and consideration concerns only the acceptability of the proposed extension and other associated works within the school grounds.”

“Context and Character As detailed above, the application site relates to an existing school with extensive grounds. The proposed extensions would be located to the rear of the existing school, and it is considered that the development could easily be accommodated within the school grounds whilst maintaining open space and recreational areas within the site.”

“Consultations • Dougall Baillie Associates (DBA) (Councils Independent Drainage Consultants) – Request that further information is provided with regards to attenuation. This information can be secured through the imposition of an appropriate condition.”

“Bishopton Community Council – Object. The size of the extension is inadequate with regards to the potential pupil intake from Bishopton and Dargavel. The capacity of Park Mains is capped at 2,000 pupils which includes the proposed extension. This is inadequate given the potential intake from Dargavel. The financial and environmental cost is also incalculable due to busing 1,800 pupils to and from Erskine.”

“Extensions not big enough to accommodate pupils in catchment area, a new school is required in Dargavel/Bishopton and development does not take account of roll projections; • Impact on traffic congestion and increase in vehicular movements is not sustainable; • Road safety; • No direct transport links; • Children lacking teaching attention in a 'super sized' school including degradation and access to extra curriculum activities; • Carbon emissions from extra buses,…”

“No comments were made in the supporting representation whilst the neutral representee only commented that a new school is required. Policy Context In making any determination under the Planning Acts, regard is to be had to the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. In this instance the Development Plan consists of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan (2021) (LDP).”

“The development relates to the extension of an existing school and as such the principle of pupils accessing the school through various transport modes has already been accepted. As discussed above, the Transport Assessment submitted with the application states that travel by school bus is the highest mode of transport with walking, the second most popular.”

“This is a matter for Children's Services and is not a planning consideration. Notwithstanding this, Children's Services advise that the proposed development which includes new PE and teaching facilities would increase subject choice, and a greater range of ways to support pupils with attainment and wellbeing. Children’s Services also advise that there will be no change to current class sizes and Park Mains will remain within the agreed national policy of class size maximums.”

“F Knighton, Senior Planner, delivered a presentation relative to the proposal. In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson moved that the planning application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. (e)”