Heating pipework bridges at Wickersley School And Sports College Bawtry Road, Wickersley

“This application seeks retrospective planning permission for the erection of heating pipework and ancillary pipework bridges at Wickersley School And Sports College. The pipe work acts as a direct heating system that operates block A, B and H.”

“Parts of the heating system are located underground, however, the proposal relates to the visible bridges which extend from the boiler house on the southern boundary across to Block B. These can be seen to the south of the site at the residential properties along Wood View Court. The pipe bridge located between Block B and the boiler house to the south of the application site has a total height of 4.08m from ground level to the top of the pipe.”

“RB2022/0440 - Erection of 2.4m high fence – granted conditionally RB2021/2207 - Install 2 no. external signs within the school grounds – granted RB2013/0603 - Installation of 2 No. modular units with associated ramps – granted conditionally RB2008/0111 - Retrospective application for installation of 2 no.”

“The works are relate directly to providing heating to the existing school and supports the use of the site as the school. In terms of alternatives to the…”

“Whilst the pipework bridge is higher than surrounding boundary treatment it is significantly lower than surrounding buildings within the school site against which it is viewed. Whilst it is visible, it is considered that the pipe work ties into the setting of a school and does not look out of place when viewed as a whole with the school from neighbouring properties.”

“Pipework is an ugly feature covered in plastic trellis, visible over neighbours fence • Pipework overshadows neighbours garden. • Comments made that if the proposal was a neighbour building a garage or gazebo this close to the boundary they would not have got planning permission due to the height and distance restrictions. • Could have been located further down the yard where nobody is affected.”

“Need for the pipework bridges • The original heating pipework to A Block, B Block and H Block at Wickersley was corroding due to it's location underground and failure of its protective insulation. • It was pulling soil into the boilers, which would have damaged them irreparably if allowed to continue. • There was not room to install replacement pipework in the original duct, as this was needed to be pre-insulated to a better standard, and hence much larger in area.”

“It was also agreed that to prevent as much as possible the pipework rotting moving forward, as much of the alignment should be ran above ground, to prevent further issues in the future. • The location of the boiler room means that a bridge would be required, and the location chosen is one that is as short a bridge as possible. A longer bridge would not have been possible, due to the max span of the materials and risk to structural integrity of any new bridge.”

“(3) That applications RB2025/0493, RB2025/0923 and RB2025/1054 be granted for the reasons adopted by Members at the meeting and subject to the relevant conditions listed in the submitted report.”