Up to three homes at Hurdleditch Road, Orwell

The site and surroundings

The site is a school car park and coach drop-off area beside homes, outside the development framework but next to it.

“Table 2 Consultee summary 2. Site description and context 2.1 The application site relates to land located to the west of Petersfield Church of England Primary School on Hurdleditch Road, Orwell. The site is currently used as a car parking and coach drop-off area serving the adjacent primary school. The site is situated immediately adjacent to the residential development.”

“Hurdleditch Road forms the southern boundary of the site, with vehicular access proposed from this road and from within the adjacent housing area and private street. Petersfield Church of England Primary School lies directly to the east and is screened from the site by established trees and mature vegetation.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the evidence did not show that losing the car park would avoid highway, parking and amenity harm.

“However, the applicant has failed to demonstrate, through proportionate and robust evidence, that the loss of the community car park and coach drop-off facility would not result in harm to highway safety, residential amenity and the operation of the local highway network.”

“Whilst a Car Parking Technical Note prepared by ROVIA (January 2026) has been submitted, the parking surveys were undertaken on a single day only and therefore do not satisfy the Local Planning Authority's requirement for a two-week survey period to provide a reliable assessment of parking demand and site usage during school term-time pick-up and drop-off periods.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

The parish council and 25 third parties objected, raising concerns about parking loss, congestion, school safety, construction traffic and community impacts.

“Loss of parking would limit future school expansion. County Highways Development Management – No Objection 6.2 Subject to conditions for: • Proper construction of vehicular access and footway under Section 278 agreement. • Pedestrian visibility splays of 2m x 2m each side of access. • Access width limited to 3.66m for a single dwelling. • Footway must be 2m wide for pedestrian safety. • Driveway must prevent surface water runoff onto the highway.”

“Those in objection have raised the following issues: • Principle of development • Loss of essential parking - Removing it would push cars onto surrounding streets, increasing congestion and reducing safety at peak times • Safety concerns – construction traffic issues and the area is already dangerous at school drop-off/pick-up due to blind corners and bus movements and disrupt pedestrian access • Lack of consultation and transparency - Residents pay service charges to…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard an objecting statement, a parish council representative and a local district member speaking against the proposal.

The vote and decision

Members unanimously refused the application for inadequate evidence about highway safety, parking pressures, congestion and conflict between road users.

“The Delivery Manager summarised the recommendation of refusal set out on p185-186 of the agenda for the reason set out in the officer’s report.”

“By unanimous vote in favour of the officer recommendation of refusal, the Committee refused the application for the following reason: i. The applicant has failed to provide adequate evidence to demonstrate that the proposal would not result in unacceptable impacts on highway safety and parking.”

Minutes