Academy redevelopment at Wellfield Academy, Leyland

The site

The 7.1-hectare school site has existing buildings, playing fields, woodland, car parking and residential properties around its boundaries.

“Primary access into the site is from Yewlands Drive; a residential street off School Lane approximately 600m from Leyland Town Centre. A small car park and vehicle manoeuvring area are present just inside the main gate which sits alongside a separate gateway into a former NHS clinic building and small nursery. Secondary access is possible from Carlton Road via a gate into playing fields on the southern site boundary.”

“Within the site there are established playing fields and a linear woodland to the south, with hard standing pitches, and a car park along the northern side. In the northern third of the site are several buildings in a range of form and design as described below. These are no longer fit for purpose, and there is evidence of possible asbestos which would need to be removed.”

Officer report

Planning history

Ten earlier applications concerned extensions and security fencing, and none was relevant to this proposal.

“There are ten planning applications on the history of this site; all of which relate to extension and security fencing for the existing school. None are relevant to this proposal.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers considered the proposal policy-compliant and recommended approval subject to conditions.

“The proposal has been assessed against the policies contained within the National Planning Policy Framework, the Central Lancashire Core Strategy, South Ribble Local Plan and associated supplementary development plan documents. The forthcoming Central Lancashire Local Plan has also been given consideration.”

“In policy terms the proposal is considered compliant and having regard to the comments of statutory bodies and the following commentary, it is recommended that the application be approved subject to the imposition of conditions.”

Officer report

Public views

One objection cited loss of old trees and wildlife impact, while one supporter welcomed the necessary redevelopment, design and unchanged intake.

“Loss of old trees which provide wildlife habitat • Environmental/wildlife impact contradicts Wellfield’s ‘green’ claims…”

“Necessary redevelopment of buildings that haven’t changed in 30 years • Supports intake remaining the same • Design is sympathetic to surroundings • Short term disturbance for long term gain • ‘Wonderful school which would benefit massively from wonderful facilities…”

Officer report

Who spoke

One supporter was registered to speak.

Committee discussion

The committee considered the recommended approval and accepted a minor amendment allowing flexibility in the highway survey submission timescale.

“The officers’ recommendation to approve the application, subject to the imposition of conditions outlined within the report was proposed by Councillor Keith Martin and seconded by Councillor Chris Lomax. A minor amendment to condition 26 was proposed by the Development Management Team Leader, allowing for changes to the 14-day timescale in which the developer should provide highway condition surveys to be made, and was accepted as an amendment to the substantive proposals.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions, with condition 26 amended to allow another timescale agreed with the local planning authority.

“That planning permission be granted, subject to conditions outlined within the officer’s report, with an amendment to condition 26 that should read as:”

“Throughout the construction phase, the developer shall undertake repeat surveys of the condition of the adopted highway at intervals not exceeding three months. Each survey shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority within 14 days (or other timescale to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority) following completion. The extent of the area to be surveyed must be agreed by the Highways Authority prior to the survey being undertaken.”

Minutes